Pensioners demand end to Post Office closures

19/03/2008

Britain's largest organisation of older people, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC), is calling on MPs to vote today to suspend the closure of 2,500 local post offices.
 
Dot Gibson, NPC vice president said: "For millions of older people living in both urban and rural areas, the post office provides a lifeline not only to services, but also to community life and information. The Government claims the network is unsustainable, but at least £260m has been lost because ministers decided, against the wishes of many older people, to pay pensions directly into bank accounts."
 
"Whilst the Government talks about giving people choice - the reality is that these closures will prevent pensioners from getting their pensions in a way and at a place that is most convenient.

 

"The closure programme marks the break-up of our community life - and heralds the drive towards more impersonal and remote services which do not best serve the older generation who are without their own transport or access to computers. We hope MPs will stand by their older constituents and defend the post office network for the good of their communities."