news story

21st April 2008

MP to Challenge Ministers Over Local Post Office Closures

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Northavon MP Steve Webb has secured a debate at Westminster over the future of the threatened post offices at Yate, Tytherington and Old Sodbury.

On Wednesday at 1630 the Lib Dem MP will set out the case for retaining these sub post offices which were included on a 'hit list' drawn up by the Post Office for the Bristol area. Post Office minister Pat MacFadden will have to respond for the Government.

Steve Webb has already organised two public meetings locally about the threatened post office closures where over 200 local people have been able to express their anger and concerns to post office bosses. He will now use this Westminster debate to challenge the Government over its drive to cut 2,500 branches nationwide, and will show what a damaging effect the changes will have on local communities.

The MP will also press the minister on the options for rescue packages for threatened post offices. Steve Webb is working with councillors and local residents to see whether some sort of post office service can be maintained in particular locations by means of an 'outreach' service run under the supervision of another sub postmaster, perhaps with some financial support from the local authority.

But the MP is concerned that progress on such schemes is so slow that even if such rescue packages prove workable there may be a period of closure in any case before the new arrangements get off the ground.

Steve Webb said:

"I have received literally hundreds and hundreds of letters, e-mails and petitions signatures about the threat to the three post offices in my constituency. It is clear that each of them is greatly valued by the local people who depend on them.

"Faced by the steamroller of the Government's drive to close 2,500 offices nationwide it is going to be very hard to save them, but we are doing everything we can, and this debate is part of that campaign".