MSP backs Post Office call for more Government work

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A CAMPAIGN by the National Federation of Sub Postmasters (NFSP) to help secure more Government work for post offices is being backed by a local MSP.

Post Office Ltd is currently bidding for the new 10-year DVLA contract, which would provide income of around £60 million a year to the network.

The NFSP says this income would help maintain other essential post office services, and provide a ‘framework contract’ which could lead to further Government work for post offices.

North east Fife MSP Roderick Campbell said: “The DVLA contract is an important step for the sustainability of the post office network at a time when UK Government reforms are giving further cause for concern.

“This is an important issue in north east Fife and across the county.

“We all want to see a secure future for post offices, but they must be able to provide a range of Government services –including driving licences, tax discs and passport services – and not just be shop fronts.

“UK Government plans to downgrade local branches could undermine the long term viability of small post offices, cutting back important provisions for communities and hurting the most vulnerable citizens the most.

“The plans will also damage small businesses across Fife by removing access to manual cash deposit and withdrawals and important parcel services.”

Mr Campbell is calling on the coalition to deliver on its pledge to use post offices as the ‘front office for Government’.

He also said that he wanted an improvement in the range of services available in the local post office.