Search for
Search for
Search forMP tackles post office minister over 'perverse' closure plans
14:44 - 04-July-2008
Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton Linda Gilroy tackled Post Office Minister Pat McFadden in the Commons over the move to shut branches in her constituency.
A six-week public consultation into the controversial proposals ended this week, and the fate of the threatened branches is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
Under the plans, South West Devon is also set to see five branches axed, including Underwood Post Office in Plympton.
The closures form part of a radical Government overhaul of the network, which will see 2,500 branches shut across the country.
The Government argues four million fewer people a week are using post offices than just two years ago, and the network loses £3.5million a week.
Ministers point out that £1.7billion of subsidy is being made available to maintain the remaining network.
However, during a Parliamentary debate secured on the city closure plans, Mrs Gilroy argued the Post Office had got it wrong in Plymouth.
Viable branches were being closed in the city, which had ambitious regeneration plans and was set to see 30,000 new homes built in the next two decades, she said.
In the Commons this week, Mrs Gilroy again challenged the minister over the proposals, saying: “When we have a Devon cluster that includes one of the most sparsely-populated counties in the country together with an urban area with some of the most deep-seated poverty, perverse proposals emerge, such as the closures of Pennycomequick, Beaumont Road and St Levan Valley post offices.
“Does he really think he is getting value for money from the £1.7billion when it produces such perverse proposals to close busy post offices?”
Responding, Mr McFadden said: “She has made her point, and it is clear she believes it is wrong for her city to be in the same closure plan as a major rural area such as the county of Devon. Of course, that has happened in several places around the country where urban and rural areas have been combined for this purpose.
“It is difficult, but the access criteria are intended to ensure that we have a stable network for the future in both rural and urban areas.”
Free Delivery on orders over £45 Free Delivery on orders over £45.
Request free prices for conservatory installation.
Budget conservatories sale is on now. Extend your home from just £1295 with a budget conservatory.
PROTEST: Linda Gilroy, right, and postmaster Abul Tarafder at a public meeting opposing plans to close Pennycomequick Post Office
Email this story to a friend
Print this story
Comment on this story
After a multillion pound revamp Tinside Lido now costs thousands of pounds to run every year, while visitor numbers are at a record low
Be the first reader to comment on this story.