Published: November 17, 2008
Burnham-On-Sea MP welcomes government decision on post offices

Burnham-On-Sea's MP David Heathcoat-Amory has this week welcomed the Government's decision to reissue a vital contract to the Post Office.

The Post Office Card Account, which allows people without a bank account to withdraw money, was put out to tender to see if other private companies would bid for the contract.

However, last Friday the Government announced that the contract would stay with the Post Office.

Mr Heathcoat-Amory said: "I am glad that the Government has finally been persuaded to withdraw their dangerous proposals. The Post Office Card Account will now be retained by the Post Office and this may prevent a further round of post office closures."

"I have received a large number of letters, and visited many post offices, in order to support the campaign to ‘Keep The Post Office Card Account.’ The Government’s announcement to re-award the contract to the Post Office Ltd is a victory for the campaigners. It was a ludicrous decision to put the POCA out to tender."

"Somerset is particularly vulnerable because a large number of village post offices have closed. I am determined to keep open as many as I can. The card account is vital for business and allows people without bank accounts to obtain their cash."

"Many sub-postmasters have invested everything to keep the local post office open. The decision to put the Card Account out to tender caused these hard working people, needless stress and anxiety. If the decision had gone ahead there could have been a collapse of vital services for those who are most vulnerable in small communities."

Our photos show (top) MP David Heathcoat-Amory signing a petition in Burnham-On-Sea post office during 2006 alongside staff Iris Leeming, Julie Holmes, Kayleigh Burke and Alistair Graham; and (below) the MP with Brent Knoll Sub-Postmistress Caroline Chennells earlier this year