Save Our Post Office

North-West Evening Mail
Benefits contract key to our future

UNDER THREAT: Millom Post Office and sub-postmaster Ged McGrath

AS the final announcement on post office closures due on June 17 gets closer, I hope that the communities that use Greenodd, Leven Valley and Anty Cross Post Offices that have campaigned so vigorously are successful in retaining their local post offices.

The fight against closure will, however, need to continue, as many of our members still continue to struggle to make a profit out of their businesses. The next threat to them is not a compensated closure programme, as is currently running with network change, but a wholesale closure effecting up to 3,000 more offices if this government does not award the next DWP contract to the post office.

More than four million people across the UK, including hundreds in Millom, choose to receive their state benefits at the post office using the Post Office Card Account.

However this service is now under threat. The government is currently considering bids to run the new POCA from 2010 and we have serious concerns that it may decide to award the contract to another bidder.

I believe that the Post Office is best placed to continue to provide this service. We offer local, convenient access for customers who trust the staff and Post Office brand. It also means customers won’t have to fill out forms, be forced to open bank accounts or travel long distances to inconvenient and unfamiliar locations

Without the POCA I fear that my post office and more than 3,000 others across the country will be forced to close. This will further reduce the number of local post offices leading to more difficulties for local residents and businesses

That is why I have written to my MP Jamie Reed asking him to write to the Prime Minister to urge that the government awards the contract to the Post Office. If it fails to do so, the consequences for local post offices will be devastating.

As the tenders have now been submitted to government, the Federation of Sub-Postmasters has launched a postcard campaign to lobby support from MPs. To ensure the Post Office win this important contract, I hope that the public will support their local sub-postmaster in this campaign.

The Post Office is, and hopefully will remain, at the heart of our communities, but to continue it needs the public’s support, not only in campaigning against closures but in day to day use.

So if you are one of those people who have not used your local office recently, go and see what is on offer. New products in recent years include home phone and broadband packages, insurance, Christmas Clubs, credit cards, travel money and more.

GED McGRATH
Sub-Postmaster Millom Post Office
President Lancaster and South Cumbria Branch
Federation of Sub-Postmasters

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