MP outraged at Post Office cuts

10.30.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 12th Aug 2008

Andrew Stunell MP fighting for local post offices

Today, Hazel Grove MP has hit out at the Government's failure to listen to the concerns of people in Stockport over post office closures.

Despite public outcry at the announced closures, 27% of Stockport's Post Offices will be shut down - well above national average.

Commenting, Mr Stunell said:

"Eleven post offices closed in as many years, and all under a Labour Government!

"I have received letters from over 4,000 individuals and companies within Hazel Grove who are against the cuts.

"These closures will affect vulnerable individuals the most, as they will be unable to access vital local services. The Post Office Network acts as a focal point for many local communities in Stockport, and yet this Government seems content to let it crumble.

"Local businesses, already under long-term pressure and now facing by the more acute problems of an economic down-turn, will also suffer.

"Post offices provide an important social and economic benefit to individuals and local communities. Closing down local offices undermines those benefits, and reduces social cohesion and inclusion."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. For more information about Andrew Stunell's campaign and to sign the petition, please see:

http://www.andrewstunell.org.uk/pages/Post-office-campaign.html

2. Andrew Stunell has signed the following Early Day Motion 1749 calling for a halt to the Post Office Network Change Programme in Manchester:

POST OFFICE CLOSURES IN MANCHESTER

That this House condemns the Labour Government's decision to close 2,500 post offices and the recent announcement that 67 post offices across Greater Manchester and High Peak are threatened with closure, including five in Manchester; recognises that local post offices provide a vital service to their communities and play a valuable role in the sustainability of local shops; notes with concern that the Post Office has failed to justify why specific branches have been selected for closure; and calls upon all local people from across the region to campaign against the closures and to lobby the Government to bring the closure programme to a halt.

3. For the Post Office area plan for closures in Greater Manchester, see: ftp://ftp.royalmail.com/Downloads/public/ctf/po/Greater_Manchester_area_plan_booklet.pdf