Bishop hits out at post office closures

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/late ... 3609586.jp

The Bishop of Lincoln has hit out at plans to close dozens of post offices in Lincolnshire.
The Right Reverend Dr John Saxbee said the closures were "dispiriting news" for many of the county's communities.

The Post Office has confirmed that it will close 42 branches in the county and set up 26 so-called "outreach services" to replace them.

Dr Saxbee said: "Whilst I am glad my local post office in Bailgate will remain open, this week's sad and dispiriting news for so many communities in Lincolnshire simply serves to underline that this so-called consultation was a cynical exercise which reflects badly on those who conducted it and have sought to defend it.

"What are described as "huge losses" are in fact very modest when set against the overall budget for social services in this country. The provision of post offices, especially in sparsely populated areas, is a social service and should be subsidised in the interests of the common good."

He added: "We must remain vigilant as further cuts may well be proposed in due course. We can only hope that the public will be treated with more respect as and when future such consultations are undertaken."