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LOCAL MP ACTS TO PROTECT ABERMULE POST OFFICE AS NEW ROUND OF POST OFFICE CLOSURES ON THE CARDS AS GOVERNMENT SCRAPS CARD ACCOUNT - ÖPIK
November 11, 2008 3:03 PM
Rumours that the Government will scrap the Post Office Card Account (POCA) reached Westminster this week.
Up to 3,000 Post Offices across the country will be at risk due to the Government's action, it is likely that number could rise further. Over 350,000 people in Wales, including 5,400 in Montgomeryshire have come to rely on the POCA for their benefits and pensions, especially those who are disabled, elderly or who are unable to travel far.
Now, Lembit Öpik has hit out at the government over their handling of the decision, and backed a Parliamentary motion calling for the government to ensure the future of the Post Office by encouraging all government departments to make their services available through Post Office branches.
Commenting, Lembit said:
"Plans to phase out the Post Office Card Account are bad news for customers and the community. At a time when trust in banks is at an all-time low it is perverse to force Post Office Card users, who have all made a conscious decision to stick with the account, into the commercial world.
"The decision-making process on POCA has been a sham. New Labour have cynically under-cut the account, and like the Tories before them, have repeatedly undermined the Post Office Network.
"The most vulnerable people will be the ones who suffer the most. Public Services in rural areas must not become a thing of the past - they are lifelines for many people living in remote areas.
"However, as Post Offices are forced to provide less and less for fewer and fewer, it gives the Government an excuse to close even more in the future. I am appalled by the Government's decision."
Lembit will be meeting this Tuesday (11th) with Steve Geraty, Post Office's Network Development Manager for North Wales, to discuss the closure of Abermule Post Office which has been earmarked to be replaced by a mobile outreach service.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, he said:
"The Post Office closure programme will place an immense strain on our local services. Local Shops will experience cuts in income that may force them out of operation.
"I look forward to meeting with Mr Geraty to discuss further the difficult situation faced by the Abermule Post Office owners and to work together for the best possible outcome for the local community."
Ends/diwedd
Notes to Editors:
1. The Government plans to end the use of the Post Office Card Account by 2010.
2. Post offices at risk over contract [Source: Press Association]:
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gFcrrf39nB0ONI92q47Jyii0JJWg
3. Lembit Öpik MP has signed Early Day Motion 2008:
That this House notes with concern the fact that the Department for Work and Pensions has written to Post Office card account holders informing them that the Post Office card account contract ends in 2010; further notes that Post Office card account holders, many of whom have made a conscious decision to support the Post Office by retaining their card account, are being instructed to take out bank accounts in order to receive benefits beyond 2010; expresses its dismay at the fact that the letter does not mention the fact that a replacement for the current card account is currently out to tender, or make any mention of other Post Office products or services; believes that this is a deliberate attempt to encourage people to switch payment to direct debit and remove the role of the Post Office; notes the additional damage inflicted on the Post Office by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, who are currently sending out licence renewal reminders as part of a communications campaign which makes no mention of the Post Office; calls on Ministers in the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to encourage Ministers in the Department for Work and Pensions to consider the impact on communities across the country if the Post Office card account is not renewed; and encourages all Government departments to make their services available through post offices in order to ensure that they have a viable future.
4. The EDM has attracted the backing of 80 Members of Parliament, from all parties.
5. The Liberal Democrats' National response to the rumoured government decision is available at:
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