SANDRA OSBORNE MP  to meet with local Postmasters in New Year

Following the statement by Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Alistair Darling on the future of the Post Office Network. Local MP Sandra Osborne has announced that she will be arranging another summit with local Postmasters and Postmistresses early in the New Year to discuss the details of the Government’s Consultation Document and to decide the best response to make.

Sandra said:
“I very much welcome the decision to replace the Post Office Card Account when the current contract runs out so that people can continue to withdraw their benefit from the post office. I know that this was a very important factor locally and I am proud that we managed to influence that decision with the petition I presented to the Government on behalf of thousands of my constituents.

However, I do have concerns about the proposals for rural areas which I raised with the Secretary of State on the floor of the House following his statement. The Post Office in some villages is also the only local shop and a lynch pin in the community. I am very much aware of this. I went out and spoke in detail to sub postmasters and their customers which gave me a great insight into the role of the Post Office in community life. Now I will be speaking to them again in the light of these proposals. Whatever the outcome of these talks, I will be pressing the Government to provide further opportunities for services needed by local communities.”

The Government has announced that the £150 million per year support for rural post offices will continue.
 
Measures will also be taken to ensure that deprived urban areas and remote areas are protected and there will be criteria to ensure that 99% of the population must live within 3 miles and 90% within 1 mile of Post Office Services. There will also be a compensation package for postmasters who close their offices.