Dundee Liberal Democrats back saving Post Office Network (Dundee Liberal Democrats)

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

Dundee Liberal Democrats back saving Post Office Network

November 20, 2006 7:13 AM

Allan Petrie backs saving Post Office Network

Dundee Liberal Democrats have today (Monday 20th November) expressed great concern for the future of the Post Office network, following publication of research undertaken by the Liberal Democrats showing that the cost of potential cuts to the Post Office network could be at least 400 million pounds.

The Urban Reinvention Programme undertaken by the Post Office between 2002 and 2005 required government aid of 152 million pounds for the closure of 2,486 branches- a cost of 61,000 pounds per branch closure. Postcomm in its report "Post Offices at the crossroads" published on 12 October 2006 highlighted that 6,500 rural Post Offices are loss making. The cost of closing 6,500 branches, based on 61,000 pounds per branch, would be 396 million pounds. This does not take into account inflation.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary, Edward Davey MP said, "The Government has presided over a decimation of the Post Office network. Now it seems their solution to 'stabilise' the Post Office will involve an expensive programme of thousands more branch closures, bringing hardship and financial exclusion to millions."

Locally, Dundee LibDem spokesperson Allan Petrie said, "Labour has been responsible for a situation where thousands of local Post Offices are under threat. Here in Dundee, we have already seen Post Offices close. It is vital the remainder of the network is protected as local Post Offices are a vital part of communities."