One in three Post Offices at risk over Government handling of Post Office Card Account

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 15th Apr 2003

One in three local post offices could face closure as plans to stop pension and benefit payments across the counter kick in. So says Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell, who blames the lack of publicity for the replacement 'card account' scheme for cutting sub-post office business by up to 35%.

Mr Stunell says, "The Government and Consignia are doing everything they can to kill off the Card Account. They want pensioners to abandon the post office and turn to the banks. You need real dedication and persistence to get a Card Account when it could be so easy."

Mr Stunell has backed calls in Westminster for government action in support of Card Accounts.

"A top priority is to end the stupid situation where you are not allowed to join a Card Account in advance, but are constantly put off and redirected to the banks."

Up to 20 Stockport post offices could face closure if business switches away – leaving many residents who have no transport with real problems in getting pensions or benefits.

ENDS