POST OFFICE CLOSURES: THE FULL STORY

Although they are willing to risk over £100 billion on Northern Rock, the current government is not willing to support the local services provided by Post Offices. There is no long-term strategy for Post Offices and closures across the country (including here in Welwyn Hatfield) continue without consideration for local needs. Here are some of the key facts in the issue:

· Under Labour, 4,875 Post Offices have been closed since 1997-almost ten a week.

· By 2009, Labour will have closed over a third of the Post Office network.

· In May 2007, the Government declared that 2,500 more Post Offices will be closed.

· Residents get just a six week consultation period to express their views on the issue.

· After the 'consultation', closures will take place over 18 months.

· Ministers and officials in Whitehall have already decided how many Post Offices will be lost in each local area, so it isn't clear what these consultations are for.

· The Government is obviously worried about this hugely controversial issue, which is why they've tried to delay consultations from happening in those areas which have local elections in May, for fear that Labour will suffer in these elections because of it.

· In Welwyn Hatfield estimates of how many Post Offices we'll lose range between two and twelve. But either way, we'll almost certainly lose out.

What do we think about it?

· We think that Post Offices provide an essential service in the neighbourhood. Closing them only adds to a feeling of isolation among those who depend upon them and who cannot go further afield. This includes the elderly and disabled-some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

· We think that profitable Post Offices should not be closed just because a Government target has decided they should.
- We know that often the only human contact that some people get is at places like the Post Offices.

- We know that the elderly and disabled often turn to Post Office staff for help with administrative tasks which can otherwise seem very confusing and difficult.

· We think that staff in Post Offices should be provided with training and more freedom to allow them to compete in a broader range of business services, making them a 'one stop shop' for local services.

· We will not lie down while the Government bulldozes over the heart of our neighbourhoods.

Our petition against closures in Welwyn Hatfield will be presented by Grant Shapps MP (pictured) to Gordon Brown and his government. If you agree, sign up!

 

Sign the Welwyn Hatfield Petition here.

Data Protection: The data you provide  will be treated in the strictest confidence and in line with the Data Protection Act 1998. Your data will not be shared with any outside organisation or individuals except as part of the petition as a whole. You may, from time to time, be contacted by Grant Shapps MP regarding this and other local issues. You may unsubscribe from this list at any time. Promoted by Benedict McAleenan on behalf of Welwyn Hatfield Conservatives both of Maynard House, The Common, Hatfield, AL10 0NF. Published by Grant Shapps MP.