“No time to lose” as Darling announces 2,500 Post Offices to close

By Tony Watts - Editor - 17/05/2007

Trade Secretary Alistair Darling has announced plans to close 2,500 more Post Offices by 2009 – a fifth of those remaining - saying that the current loss-making network was "unsustainable".

Mervyn Kohler, Head of Public Affairs at Help the Aged, has responded angrily, saying that the closures “will leave thousands of UK pensioners devastated”.

He points to the fact that “Day in, day out pensioners rely on the post office network – for staying in contact with others and for practical services like paying bills and collecting benefits.
 
“The network has taken a massive hammering over the last decade,” he said. “The Government must now come up with alternatives that recognise the social and economic importance of the network and the vital role post office play in communities.

“For older people who don’t have access to a car or the internet and face being cut off from their local communities there is no time to lose.”
 
Mr Darling has defended the decision claiming that four million fewer customers were using post offices every week than two years ago and it was losing £4 million a week.

This reduction in traffic and business is not unconnected to the fact that the network has shrunk (on average by 500 a year over the last eight years) and Government decisions to pay pension and child benefit directly into bank accounts, while TV licences, driving licences, passports and vehicle tax disks are now being supplied online and through other retailers.

Liberal Democrat trade spokeswoman Susan Kramer has responded by saying that the closures would represent a "death knell" for many communities, and that the Government’s plan “is designed purely to save money and has nothing to do with meeting the long-term needs of people who rely on post offices for essential services".

Age Concern's Director General said: "We are really disappointed that the Government has failed to extend the local consultation period. Allowing just six weeks, instead of the usual 12, for local consultations betrays the Government's assertion that it wants to maintain a viable national network.

"Much more time is needed to conduct a thorough and meaningful consultation and actually take on board the concerns of those customers who will be affected most by closures. Proposing to implement the changes over an 18-month period also strongly suggests that key decisions have already been made and many older people will be left stranded by solutions that don't fully take their needs into account.

"Our challenge to all MPs is to ensure that a proper consultation takes place in their constituency." 

National charity Citizens Advice responded to the statement by insisting that essential services must be maintained for the most vulnerable in some form. Tony Herbert, social policy officer said: “Post offices are a lifeline for thousands of people, particularly pensioners, disabled people and those on low incomes.

“Innovative ideas such as delivering post office services in pubs, church halls or via mobile services must be fully explored.  But it is imperative that such outreach services meet the needs of those who depend on post offices, including such factors as opening hours, location and services offered.”
 
A recent Citizens Advice survey found that more than 90% of respondents said they would be personally affected if their local post office were to close. Three-quarters said their community would be significantly affected.