Press Release

2 June 2006

Paice Voices Concern At New Threat To Local Post Offices

SE Cambs has already lost 10 post offices since 1999 – and potential threat to 26 more

South East Cambridgeshire MP Jim Paice has expressed concern at a new threat to the future of the post office network in his constituency following comments by Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of the Royal Mail, that the system could operate with just one quarter of the current branches. 

This would mean that almost 11,000 of the remaining 14,000 post offices could close across the country, equivalent to South East Cambridgeshire losing 26. New figures from the House of Commons Library have revealed that South East Cambridgeshire has already lost 10 branches since 1999.

Mr Paice said: “Post offices are the lifeblood of many villages in my constituency but their future is now under real threat. Since 1999, South East Cambridgeshire has already lost 10 branches. Now the Post Office is warning of further cuts, potentially meaning that up to 26 more could close. 

“This would be a devastating blow to thousands of my constituents who rely on their local post office for stamps, pensions, savings, banking, insurance, licenses and a whole range of other services.

“Government initiatives like the ending of the Post Office Card account – which was deeply unpopular - and the opening of new regional Passport Offices will undermine post offices even more.

“Adam Crozier is right in that the Post Office’s role is to run the business as efficiently as possible. What is lacking from the government is a clear long-term strategy that allows organic growth of communities and the retention of vital services such as the Post Office. This is in stark contrast to the current policy of huge new conurbations with little regard for supporting infrastructure.”