Lib Dems: "Hands off our Post Offices"

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 18th Dec 2006

Cllr Paul Scriven and Cllr Pat White outside a Post Office in the Sharrow Vale area

After the news that around 2,500 post offices will be forced to close by the Labour Government local Liberal Democrats have issued a hands off warning for Post Offices in Sheffield. The Government believe that the current network is unsustainable but Liberal Democrats are calling on Labour to keep their 'hands off' local Post Offices in Sheffield. Under plans announced by the Government around 2,500 post offices will be forced to close nationally.

Local Lib Dems have welcomed the news that the Government have performed a u-turn on their plan to cease the Post Office Card Account in 2010. Government have listened to widespread opposition from many groups including the Liberal Democrats and will now re-tender the contract.

Councillor Paul Scriven, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: -

"The news that the Labour Government will close 2,500 post offices nationally will worry the many thousands of people in Sheffield who rely on their local Post Office. Our message to the Government is loud and clear - hands off our local Post Offices"

"We have already seen many closures as a result of Labour policy. Sheffield values its Post Offices and we must defend them from this new threat"

"The news that the Post Office Card Account will no longer be ditched by Government is welcome and reward for those of us who have been campaigning to this end. Although it will help Post Office's it is only a small step in the right direction. We need a Government committed to supporting the Post Office network"