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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| MPs in call to save post offices | MPs in call to save post offices |
| (4 days later) | |
| MPs are calling on the government to protect the Post Office network. | MPs are calling on the government to protect the Post Office network. |
| The benefits the Post Office provides to communities could be lost forever if ministers fail to act, a Commons trade and industry committee report says. | The benefits the Post Office provides to communities could be lost forever if ministers fail to act, a Commons trade and industry committee report says. |
| It says sub-postmasters feel a "sense of betrayal" over plans such as the scrapping of the Post Office card account - a key source of revenue. | It says sub-postmasters feel a "sense of betrayal" over plans such as the scrapping of the Post Office card account - a key source of revenue. |
| The government says it has invested an "unprecedented" £2bn in the network but there are "major challenges" ahead. | The government says it has invested an "unprecedented" £2bn in the network but there are "major challenges" ahead. |
| A Department of Trade and Industry spokesman said the network was a "matter of priority". | A Department of Trade and Industry spokesman said the network was a "matter of priority". |
| "We will be announcing shortly a future strategy to provide sub-postmasters with the certainty they need," he said. | "We will be announcing shortly a future strategy to provide sub-postmasters with the certainty they need," he said. |
| Subsidy withdrawal | Subsidy withdrawal |
| Earlier this month, a petition with four million signatures was handed in at Downing Street. | Earlier this month, a petition with four million signatures was handed in at Downing Street. |
| The National Federation of Sub-postmasters said the petition called for urgent action to protect rural post offices. | The National Federation of Sub-postmasters said the petition called for urgent action to protect rural post offices. |
| POST OFFICES IN CRISIS Despite subsidies of £150m, post offices lost £111m in 2005Postcomm estimates 1,500 of 8,000 rural post offices make money72% of sub-postmasters are uncertain about the future, says PostcommRevenue from services withdrawn from post offices fell £168m in past year | |
| Tony Blair has said people are changing the way they use post offices and there can be no extra subsidies. | Tony Blair has said people are changing the way they use post offices and there can be no extra subsidies. |
| There are more than 14,000 Post Office branches in the UK, roughly divided between rural and urban areas and down from more than 18,000 in 1999. | There are more than 14,000 Post Office branches in the UK, roughly divided between rural and urban areas and down from more than 18,000 in 1999. |
| Campaigners say a further 6,000 are under threat, with the current £150m-a-year subsidy for the rural network due to be withdrawn in 2008. | Campaigners say a further 6,000 are under threat, with the current £150m-a-year subsidy for the rural network due to be withdrawn in 2008. |
| The government says the 800 smallest post offices are used by an average of 16 people a week. | The government says the 800 smallest post offices are used by an average of 16 people a week. |
| The cross-party committee says there is a reluctant acceptance that the current network of branches cannot be sustained. | The cross-party committee says there is a reluctant acceptance that the current network of branches cannot be sustained. |
| However, it insists that the 4,000 offices suggested by Royal Mail is too few. The committee also says the government may need to put in more money. | However, it insists that the 4,000 offices suggested by Royal Mail is too few. The committee also says the government may need to put in more money. |
| 'Sense of anger' | 'Sense of anger' |
| The Post Office card account, which is used to access pensions and benefits, is set to be withdrawn. | The Post Office card account, which is used to access pensions and benefits, is set to be withdrawn. |
| The Commons trade and industry committee points out that sub-postmasters are already losing income from selling television and driving licences. | The Commons trade and industry committee points out that sub-postmasters are already losing income from selling television and driving licences. |
| Almost 400 MPs have already signed an early day motion calling for the decision to withdraw the Post Office card account to be reversed. | Almost 400 MPs have already signed an early day motion calling for the decision to withdraw the Post Office card account to be reversed. |
| Mr Blair has said the government will look at the options, but argued that more and more people were using bank accounts rather than the Post Office. | Mr Blair has said the government will look at the options, but argued that more and more people were using bank accounts rather than the Post Office. |
| Help the Aged said the committee had pointed out the "very real sense of anger" that millions felt. | Help the Aged said the committee had pointed out the "very real sense of anger" that millions felt. |
| "The government has presided over a programme of cuts and confusion that has left many older people unable to access a local and easily accessible Post Office," the charity's David Sinclair said. | "The government has presided over a programme of cuts and confusion that has left many older people unable to access a local and easily accessible Post Office," the charity's David Sinclair said. |
| "A commitment must be made by the government to properly appreciate the social value of services provided by the Post Office," he said. | "A commitment must be made by the government to properly appreciate the social value of services provided by the Post Office," he said. |