Post Offices left in limbo following Government announcement

4.19.22pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 17th May 2007

Malcolm Bruce working with post offices to keep them open

Gordon MP Malcolm Bruce has accused the Government of failing to listen to its own consultation on post offices today (Thursday) as it published plans to press ahead with a programme for 2,500 closures. 

Commenting Malcolm Bruce said:

"The Government's announcement today confirms that they are continuing to undermine local post offices. This process of attrition is gnawing away at individual businesses who do not know where they stand. As well as trying to run a viable business they are also acutely aware of the important social need post offices serve to small towns and villages.

"It is the Government themselves who have put them in this difficult position. Instead of supporting our post offices they have continued to strip away business from them - such as the TV licence- and what is more they are now exploiting these problems to justify the closures.

"Unless the Government secures new funding for the network it will continue to diminish." 

He added:

"It is nothing short of disgraceful that local communities will have to wait up to a further 18 months to see if they are to be affected by the widespread closures.

"During this time I will continue to keep in touch with post offices and local communities in my constituency to ensure their voices are heard as they face a further prolonged period of uncertainty.

"This is no way for the Government to manage a major business which provides such a vital social function."