Dundee LibDem concern at Post Office decline (Dundee Liberal Democrats)

Dundee Liberal Democrats <info@dundeelibdems.org.uk>

Dundee LibDem concern at Post Office decline

May 24, 2006 10:50 AM

Dundee LibDem concern at Post Office decline

Dundee Liberal Democrat local party secretary Michael Charlton has today (Wednesday 24th May) highlighted Dundee LibDem concerns over the great increase in Post Office closures across the UK.

New figures obtained by LibDem Shadow Scottish Secretary Jo Swinson MP chart falling Post Office numbers over the past ten years, and show a drastic increase in their decline since 2003.

The figures, produced by the House of Commons Library, show a network of 19,607 Post Offices in 1994/95 declining to just 14,609 by 2004/05.

Commenting on the new research, Jo Swinson MP said:

"UK-wide, the number of Post Offices has fallen by 24% over the past ten years. More Post Offices closed in the two years between 2003 and 2005 than in the previous 8 years combined. These closures simply cannot be allowed to continue year on year - urgent action must be taken to stabilise the Post Office network and halt further damage being done.

Michael Charlton said, "Scotland has lost over 10% of its Post Offices in the past five years. This is a dreadful situation and a great loss to local communities. We are dismayed at the Labour Government's neglect of the Post Office network, and in particular their decision to axe Post Office Card Accounts."