GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN UP ON THE POST OFFICE - RICHARD BURT

6.06.56pm GMT Fri 18th May 2007

Commenting on the Government's announcement that 2,500 post offices are to close, local Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt said:

"The Government has given up on the Post Office. Ministers are now only interested in managing its decline.

"The Liberal Democrats are the only party with a properly costed £2bn plan to secure the network's long term future.

"This whole programme is clearly driven by the need to save money and has nothing to do with guaranteeing the long-term needs of people who rely on the Post Office for essential services.

"These closures are bound to hit rural areas hardest, where post offices are so important, particularly to older people and those without cars. It is a damning indictment of government policy that churches within Worcestershire are now saying they will attempt to cover for any loss of essential post office services in the county. Around half a dozen more villages will close in West Worcestershire alone in the next few years. Those people in rural areas have paid their taxes like everyone else, and should be able to have equal access to them.

"This is simply not good enough from a Labour government. They have continued the Conservatives' legacy by taking business away from the Post Office and now driving 1 in 5 out of business. Government found the money to fund an unjust war in Iraq, but can't now find the money to keep Post Offices open in areas that need them most."