East Riding Conservatives to raise public awareness

Efforts to raise public awareness over the threats to the future of our sub Post Offices will take place as a result of todays meeting between East Riding Councillor, Jane Evison, Stephen Parnaby, Leader of the Council, Robert Goodwill, MEP and David Claxton, Branch Secretary for the National Federation of Sub Post Offices.

Cllr Stephen Parnaby said, The seriousness of this situation needs to be highlighted, not only with the public but with all local authorities in England and Wales, asking them to support our concerns.

Cllr Parnaby has therefore submitted a motion to the next meeting of the Full Council on 20th November, to this effect.

Cllr Jane Evison added, Not only do want we to raise awareness locally about the threats to sub post offices, but through Robert Goodwill, MEP, who has agreed to take this matter further by having a question asked in the House of Commons.

Cllr Symon Fraser explains, "Thousands of rural sub-post offices all over the country, including many in the East Riding, are set to close as a result of government changes in the way benefits are paid.

From next April ALL Benefit Agencies intend to switch as many of their customers as possible to have their benefits paid through bank accounts and nobody will be able to go in person to their friendly local post office to pick up the benefit in cash.

Apart from the distress to many pensioners who will be forced to open a bank account against their will, the move will be the final nail in the coffin for small rural sub post offices that are already barely eking out a living. This move will also have an effect on post offices in Urban areas."

31st October 2002