Postal concerns taken to Holyrood

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A debate is to be held in the Scottish Parliament to examine the future of the nation's sub-postmasters.

It comes after recent surveys suggested many had seen a fall in their income.

The debate is being hosted by south of Scotland SNP MSP Christine Grahame and chaired by journalist and broadcaster Keith Aitken.

Scottish Borders sub-postmaster Mervyn Jones, who will attend the talks, said something had to be done to ensure the network remained viable.

Mr Jones, who runs Sandbed Post Office in Hawick, said post offices could have wider benefits for the community they serve.

"Lots of government surveys have shown recently that a post office in a particular area regenerates the whole economy of all of the businesses in the area," he said.

"And where a post office exists in a parade of shops, all of the shops benefit from having that post office."

However, he said that with the "degree of uncertainty" surrounding the industry, sub-postmasters needed help to assist other businesses and the community.

Big opportunity

"This is particularly true in rural areas, where more and more people are working from home and developing internet businesses," he said.

"We believe that sub-postmasters and the role that they play are very important to the economy of Scotland."

Ms Grahame said she hoped the debate could help come up with solutions to preserve the network.

She said: "One of the big opportunities I see is to do with post office banking.

"With the major banks really discredited, we want to increase the post office banking system.

"I think there is a route there which would provide banking services in villages where there aren't any banking services - I would like to see that increased."