Massive Loss to Community as London Loses 20% of its Post Offices Since 2001 - Teather

4.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 6th Dec 2004

Sarah Teather feels the Government should stop killing off local Post Offices

New research compiled by the Liberal Democrats reveals the shocking number of post offices closed in the last 5 years. Nearly 2,200 post offices have closed since 2000, a reduction of 12%. This has severely affected many people's access to vital Post Office services.

Regionally, London has suffered the most losing 20% its post offices.

Commenting on the figures Sarah Teather MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for London said:

"The closure of the local post office has an immense effect on the surrounding community, especially on more vulnerable people like pensioners and disabled people who depend on its services.

"The problem lies with the Government's determination to scale down the role that post offices play. They have undermined post offices as viable businesses, subpostmasters have lost up to 40% of their income alone from measures such as direct payments of benefits. The Government has pumped money into the rural network whilst leaving the post office network in urban areas to die.

"The Government needs to actively seek ways of promoting local post offices. Post offices need to be able to offer new services and products that will entice people back to the local branch. If the Government used the same amount of energy to save post offices that it has put into closing them, more post offices could be saved."

You can sign Sarah's petition against the closure of local post offices http://www.brentlibdems.org.uk/petitions/

Notes

Liberal Democrats believe that sub-Post Offices are the lifeblood of communities in both rural and urban areas, particularly when they are combined with other services, such as the local shop. When the local Post Office closes other services often follow suit, which can have extremely detrimental repercussions for the community.

Post Offices have a vital role to play for the more vulnerable groups in society - the over 65s, disabled people, carers, single parents, unemployed people and those without a car who find it difficult to use public transport. Closures affect these people more than any other members of society.

Post Office Numbers in London

Change March 2001 - June 2004

March 01 1,225

June 04 975

Number -250

Percent -20%

Sources: House of Commons Library, POSTCOMM Annual Reports, Quarterly Network Numbers, Royal Mail Group

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