LOCAL POST OFFICES UNDER THREAT 

Date: 12 October 2006

Thousands of elderly and disadvantaged people across the North East could see their local post office closed following a BBC decision to stop selling TV licences at local post offices, Martin Callanan MEP warned today.  

Despite the fact that Post offices have sold television licences for the last 60 years, in March this year, the BBC announced it has decided not to continue using Post Office branches to collect the fees for the administration of the licenses.

North East Conservative MEP Martin Callanan, has criticised the implications of this decision amid the fear this could lead to further branch closures.

Over five million people currently buy their TV licence at their local Post Office but customers will now be encouraged to pay by direct debit, post or phone. Mr Callanan feels that this is a move that penalises the elderly and may sound the death knell for many smaller, rural post offices.

Speaking today, Mr Callanan said:

 “Despite Government promises to keep sub-post offices open 'except in unavoidable circumstances', Labour have presided over the closure of more than 3,000 sub post offices.

 “Post Offices are a vital lifeline for many older people, particularly those in rural areas and to those who don’t have bank accounts. But thousands of branches are being closed, often without consultation and the impact of these closures will be massive. Increasingly, important services are becoming available only to those with Internet access or car drivers.”