Burstow Welcomes Post Office Announcement

6.20.00pm GMT Thu 13th Nov 2008

Sutton and Cheam MP, Paul Burstow has welcomed the announcement that the Post Office will continue to run the card account which provides a simple way for senior citizens and other to collect their benefits. Loss of the contract would have cast a shadow over the future of the boroughs few remaining post offices.

The announcement comes at the end of a long period of uncertainty for sub-postmasters. The Post Office had faced competition for the tendering of the account which is used by more than four million people, many of whom are pensioners or people on benefits.

The Liberal Democrats called a debate in Parliament on Monday in which they criticised the government's handling of the Post Office. Services have been consistently removed from the Post Office under the current government which has been a factor in the falling level of business for Post Offices.

Speaking after today's announcement Paul Burstow said:

'I am very glad to hear that the government has seen sense and the account will remain with the Post Office which is a vital lifeline for many communities and individuals within them.