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Dunfermline and West Fife post offices to go?
January 26, 2006 9:00 AM
Lib Dem by-election candidate Willie Rennie has launched a blistering attack on the UK government, accusing Tony Blair's Labour party of presiding over the demise of local Post Offices.
The Department of Work and Pensions has decided not to extend the contract for the Post Office card account, which is used by millions to collect benefits and pensions, beyond 2010.
Willie Rennie has just completed a tour of sub Post Offices in the constituency. He believes that the government's refusal to renew this contract, worth £1 billion in income to the Post Office, throws the future of West Fife's branches into doubt - a view confirmed by his discussions with sub-postmasters.
Commenting, Willie Rennie said:
"This decision beggars belief. There is clearly concern about this amongst local postmasters in Fife.
"The irony is that it was Tony Blair's government that insisted on the introduction of the Post Office card accounts - against the wishes of many postmasters and customers - yet now they are bailing out, potentially leaving the Post Offices high and dry.
"Millions of people collect their benefits and pensions through the Post Office Card account system. Labour's failure to renew this contract will threaten the future of many of those Post Offices which provide vital services to local communities.
"I would urge Tony Blair and his Labour colleagues to reconsider this decision. Since coming to power the Labour government has presided over the demise of our local Post Office network through needless reforms, closures and reduction of services.
"By renewing this contract they have the opportunity to turn this abysmal record around and ensure the long term viability of many of our small and rural Post Offices across Fife and beyond."
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