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Mayor's statement on post office closure
threats
Febuary 21, 2008
Mayor Sir Robin Wales said: "These post
offices and sub-post offices are a vital community resource in a
borough of high unemployment and deprivation. The council's stated
position is that any closure of post office branches is detrimental
to the social and economic wellbeing of our residents.
| "Post offices provide vital support for those who are
most in need, particularly the elderly, disabled and those with
young children. For many people that do not have access to a bank
account, a post office is an amenity they cannot do without.
"Access to the post office network is vital for the
prevention of financial exclusion for vulnerable groups. I do not
believe the closure programme considers this in line with stated
Government policy to combat financial exclusion, or evidence on the
use of the Post Office Card Account by people on low
incomes.
"The close proximity to a local post office is meant to mean
less time and money spent travelling to a bank to withdraw benefits
or pensions. They are a lot more convenient and better for the
environment if people need to use a vehicle or public transport to
get to a bank.
"We will conduct detailed assessments of the impact on any
planned post office relocations or closures and may oppose these to
protect the social and economic well-being of our
residents." |
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