SITE 1ST PASSPORT INTERVIEWS AT RURAL POST OFFICES MP CALLS

Angus MP, Mike Weir, is calling on the UK Government to carry out face-to-face interviews at rural post offices rather than opening new part-time designated passport sites around the country.

The Government intend to open up to 70 sites, with Glasgow and Edinburgh the only full time offices, in order to introduce face-to-face interviews for first time passport applicants.  However, Mr Weir raised concerns that the locations initially being touted could still leave many rural communities with long and expensive journeys.

“Once again the London based Government have shown their lack of knowledge of rural communities north of the Central belt.

“Many sites being earmarked will still be of some distance for many rural communities where fuel is the highest in Europe and there is little or no access to public transport.

“However, these expensive journeys are completely unnecessary because the Government could instead implement a system whereby regular visits are carried out at Post Offices.  This would prove a cheaper alternative for both communities and the tax payer.

“Rural Post Offices are easily accessible to many more communities than the earmarked new passport sites.  Many are also fulltime, as part of the local shop, and first time passport applicants could be able to attend an interview at a time that was more suitable to them.

“Therefore, rather than actively trying to dismantle the rural post office network, the Government should better use funds available for new part-time passport offices to offer a lifeline to Post Offices by conducting the first passport interviews at these rural sites instead.”