Lib Dem pressure pays off as Government u-turn on Post Office Card Account

8.57.39pm GMT Thu 13th Nov 2008

Liberal Democrat Post Office campaigners Fred Mackintosh and Mike Pringle MSP have welcomed the long delayed decision to keep the Post Office Card Account with the Royal Mail

Edinburgh South Liberal Democrats strongly opposed Labour's Post Office closures including the closure of Warrender Park Road Post Office

Fred Mackintosh, Lib Dem parliamentary spokesperson for Edinburgh South, commented, "This decision is good news for post office users in south Edinburgh. But closures will continue unless Labour create a long term sustainable future for the Post Office."

The Liberal Democrats want to see Post Offices freed up to provide services to other mail companies and given a greater role in providing financial services.

They have also called for £2 billion of investment in branches, paid for by selling part of the Government's shareholding in Royal Mail, but keeping the Post Office in the public sector.

The Labour Government has made a u-turn on their decision to put the Post Office Card Account out to private tender and announced the Post Office will retain the contract worth £1 billion over 5 years and through which 4.3 million people receive their benefits.