WHILE most attention is focused on the latest post offices to be closed as part of the Government’s cutbacks, a further threat looms. The Government is set to finally make a decision on whether the updated version of the Post Office Card Account is to remain within the Post Office or transferred to another organisation.
The Post Office Card Account offers low cost, hassle-free banking to almost five million people. We estimate that there are more than 50,000 users in Warrington. The card allows easy access to pensions or benefits at the post office. It doesn’t have an overdraft facility and doesn’t allow people to get into debt. Every time someone uses the card at their post office, the sub-postmaster receives a small payment from the Government. This is worth up to 12 per cent of some sub-postmasters’ pay. It is the reason why some branches survive.
The National Federation of Sub-Postmasters and the House of Commons Business and Enterprise Committee both want to see the Post Office retain the Post Office Card Account.
It is vital to the remaining post offices in this area that the Government agrees.
DAVID MOWAT Prospective Conservative MP for Warrington South
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