told that there would be a announcment today

[The prisoner]

I was told that there would a announcment today by Gordon frown by my dim, any idea what It might be.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

LTB 857/09 - POL: Campaign for the Establishment of a People’s Bank at the Post Office
To view this download, please click here

No: 857/09
Ref: 132
Date: 29 September 2009

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS

Dear Colleagues

POL: Campaign for the Establishment of a People's Bank at the Post Office

I am extremely pleased to inform branches that Gordon Brown, Prime Minister has today endorsed the Post Bank Coalition's idea for extending banking services to all communities via the post office.

The PM during his keynote speech to the Labour Party conference, said:

"I want the Post Office to play a much bigger role, bringing banking services back to the heart of people's communities."
This quote was well received from the conference floor, with significant applause; clearly this is a popular policy.
Whilst the PM gave no firm details on how this will be delivered, this is excellent news for the CWU and our members and the future viability of the post office network. We now have a strong endorsement from Government that they are willing to utilise the Post Office to introduce community banking. An article in the Daily Mirror today heralding a 'People's bank' suggest that this could become a reality by the end of the year. It stated that financial services at the Post Office would allow:

* better access to basic financial services for millions who miss out because of expensive High Street bank charges
* the network to remain at its current size of 11,500
* help to the two million who the banks exclude

The article is attached but can also be viewed at:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-spor ... -21708633/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Additionally the The Department for Innovation and Skills have also issued a press release today. (attached) Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:
"The Post Office is one of the country's great assets. It is a trusted institution that offers face-to-face contact in the heart of local communities.
"The time is right to build on these strong foundations and substantially increase the banking services it offers.
"Today's announcement will help secure a viable future for the Post Office network. It is also excellent news for consumers and small businesses - giving people access to a full range of banking products at an institution they trust and value."

The Post Bank Coalition have today issued our own press release congratulating the Government on their plans. We must now ensure that this policy announcement becomes a reality, by lobbying Government to establish the Post Bank model in advance of the next General Election. This is attached.
The coalition wrote to Lord Mandelson last week seeking a meeting prior to this announcement. This meeting will afford us the opportunity to impress upon Government the importance and detail of our strategies. The most important factor being that the bank is backed and owned by Government. The letter is also attached.
A further coalition meeting is scheduled for this Friday, which we give us the opportunity to discuss strategy and tactics.
Further developments will be reported.
If you have any enquiries, please contact Claire Bowers on cbowers@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

[Lounge Lizard]

A nice idea but it'll take a bit more than that to get him back in after the General Election.