Strath's MP fears for future of Highlands' Post Office network
Local MP Drew Hendry has demanded the UK government properly fund the Post Office network for the future.
He has said successive Tory policies now threaten the future of 2,500 branches across the UK highlighting claims from the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters.
The UK government Post Office Minister Kelly Tolhurst appeared before the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee on Tuesday.
Mr Hendry pressed the Minister to protect the network and ensure that sub-postmasters are sufficiently remunerated.
He said nearly 2,500 Post Offices are threatened to close as a result of successive cuts from the UK government, with post offices across the Highlands some of the most at risk.
The Post Office Subsidy was put in place to ensure the Post Office network remains there to provide vital services to local communities, particularly to rural areas.
But the local MP sid the Tories have already drastically reduced the subsidy, with its future existence now under threat, and have failed to make any commitment to protecting the Post Office network.
Mr Hendry MP said: “With Tory cuts threatening to close 2,500 branches across the network, it’s more important than ever that the UK government put up the funding to secure the Post Office network and commit to funding the Post Office Subsidy, protecting the service for the future.
“As we have already seen with the banks, Highland communities are too often seen as expendable and often some of the worst hit by closures.
"Local postmasters have experienced real terms wage cuts and many are struggling to keep the doors open.
"It is not acceptable for the Minister to keep telling us all is fine, when there are clearly significant failings in the UK Government’s approach to the post office network.
“It is now imperative that the UK government steps in to ensure that vital services that the Post Office network offers, which so many people rely on, are not lost.
"Initiatives like the Post Office Subsidy were put in place to protect local communities especially in rural areas - this fund is now threatened by deeper Tory cuts.
“The local Post Office plays a huge role in public life – it is both a symbol of the community and a lifeline on everything from pensions and benefits to vital day-to-day banking services.
“In many small and rural towns in Scotland, like those in my own constituency, the local Post Office is the last place where a face-to-face service is available, making it essential for the elderly and those with additional support needs.”
