CAB warning over postal closures

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.shetlandtoday.co.uk/Shetland ... ntID=24063

SCOTLAND'S frontline Citizens Advice Bureaux are warning that plans to axe local post offices, unveiled on 23rd October, could see pensioners, disabled people and those on low incomes struggle to access essential services.

Up to 2,500 post offices could be closed throughout the UK over the next 18 months.

The warning comes as the Post Office announces the first tranche of local branches in Scotland to be pencilled in for closure.

The first tranche covers post offices in the parliamentary constituencies of Argyll and Bute, Falkirk, East Dumbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow Central, Glasgow North, Glasgow North West, Glasgow East, Glasgow South West, Stirling and West Dumbartonshire.

Five more tranches in Scotland will be announced over the next few months. In total, up to 2,500 post offices could be closed throughout the UK over the next 18 months as part of the controversial programme.

The communities affected ­ - along with campaigning groups like the CAB service ­ - now have six weeks to make a case as to why their local service should be spared. The first branch offices could close as early as January 2008.

Shetland CAB manager Les Irving said: "Citizens Advice Bureaux are strong supporters of local post offices since a large proportion of our clients rely on their local branch for a range of essential transactions, such as gaining access to their cash and paying bills. It's not just about sending mail."

In a CAB survey undertaken earlier this year, more than 90 per cent of people throughout the UK said they would be personally affected if their local post office were to close, and three-quarters said their community would be significantly affected.

Almost a third of the 1,000 people surveyed said they visited a post office several times a week ­ a figure rising to half of those aged over 65 and 47 per cent of those on means-tested benefits.

More than 60 per cent of those aged over 75 and those depending on means-tested benefits used the post office to pay bills, while 67 per cent of those living in rural areas relied on it to buy groceries.

[pinstripe]

http://www.shetlandtoday.co.uk/Shetland ... ntID=24063


More than 60 per cent of those aged over 75 and those depending on means-tested benefits used the post office to pay bills, while 67 per cent of those living in rural areas relied on it to buy groceries.

Yeah, but as they don't spend enough money, they don't count. Isn't it sad, you spend your life working, paying taxes, raising your family, trying not to be a burden on society and just when you actually need some help from the state i.e a local post office where you can collect your pension, pay your bills etc, you find that you are only an inconvenience to the government and Royal Mail.

The worst part is when we make a stand to protect the service we are described as 'lazy, money grabbing, 70's militants'