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Mick Bates

Press Releases 2006

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As Postmasters from all over Wales descend on London to hand in a petition to save rural post offices, Montgomeryshire AM, Mick Bates calls for the government to reconsider plans to abolish the Post Office card account.

Commenting Mick said: “It is astonishing that the Government seems intent on destroying a service which is of such great value to so many people across rural Wales and the country as a whole. The Post Office Card Account offers an accessible and affordable way for thousands of people in the area to receive their benefits, yet the Government is proposing to axe it.

“Without the vital revenue stream from the Card Account, the Government is further undermining the long term viability of the post office network meaning that even more than the 3,500 post offices already closed under Labour will be put out of business.”

“The Government must pay far greater heed to the effects the closure of post offices have on a community – nearly 8 out of 10 people feel that the closure of their local post office would present a loss of essential local services.

“This is yet another example of an over-centralised Government entirely out of touch with local communities.”