Government shows contempt for the Post Office

9.28.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 5th Jul 2006

Northgate Liberal Democrat Councillor Gordon Seekings has joined in the condemnation of the Post Office after a government minister admitted that distress has been caused by the proposed abolition of the Post Office Card Accounts.

Greg Mullholland MP - ""The Government has pulled the rug away from Post Offices and their customers through this announcement."

Liberal Democrat Member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee Greg Mulholland MP forced the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to admit yesterday that distress had been caused with the proposal that the scheme should be ended in 2010. Commenting Mr Mulholland said "The Government has pulled the rug away from Post Offices and their customers through this announcement. It is a disgrace and has left many people uncertain about how they will get payment in the future. John Hutton's admission shows just how badly this policy was misjudged."

Continuing Greg said ""The fact that the Secretary of State admitted that alternative provision could have been provided through the Post Office network begs the question why a solution to these problems was not found before this policy was announced."

Cllr Gordon Seekings - ""Post Offices are vital to local communities, it is a disgrace that so many have closed in Crawley."

Gordon Seekings said that "Post Offices are vital to local communities and many people depend upon them. It is a disgrace that so many Post Offices have closed in Crawley and it is vital that people without bank accounts, particularly the elderly, get what they are entitled to.".

Gordon ended by saying "The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions decision shows complete disregard for the Post Office and for those who rely on it. But then, hey, what do you expect from this government?"

Notes:

Over 4 million people use the Post Office card scheme and its abolition has caused uproar amongst customers and post offices alike. Mr Mulholland pressed the Secretary of State over the 2.8 million people who the Citizens Advice Bureau report are still without a bank account and whether a solution could be found via the Post Office network. Mr Hutton replied that it could and further when asked by Mr Mulholland whether there was still hope for the Post Office network stated that indeed there was.