Lib Dems support the sub-postmasters campaign to save the Post Office card account

1.26.33pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 21st Apr 2006

Crawley Lib Dem Group leader Gordon Seekings has welcomed the launch of the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters' campaign to persuade the government to reverse its decision to end a crucial contract which could hasten the closure of thousands of post offices and many within Crawley. Gordon said "We have already lost several Post Offices in Crawley and that has included the one for my own area, Northgate."

Gordon went on to say "The Liberal Democrats fully support this campaign. Across Crawley 1000's of people chose to receive benefits and pensions using the Post Office card account as the Department or Work and Pensions withdrew order books and giros. People are rightly angry at the way the Government are scrapping it. It is a kick in the teeth for the Post Office network and shows no respect for the people who have opened these accounts."

"The post office network provides a vital service in Crawley's neighbourhoods. In recent months we have seen different government departments pulling out of the Post Office. The DVLA has been encouraging people to renew tax discs on line rather than at the Post Office. The TV licensing authorities will no longer use Post Offices for TV licenses. Now that the Department of Work and Pensions is withdrawing the Post Office Card Account you have to ask what future there will be for many Post Offices."

"The Federation of Sub-Postmasters know better than anyone else the vulnerability of rural Post Offices. The Government must listen to them."

Related Link:

Lib Dems campaign to stop the Post Office closures.