MORE post offices could close in Warrington, a local campaigner has claimed.
David Mowat, Prospective Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Warrington South has sounded a warning about the likely impact if the government decides to axe another service at the Post Office.
He said: “The Post Office card is used by about
50,000 people in Warrington and almost five million people across the country.
“The card allows easy access to pensions or benefits at their local post office. It doesn’t have an overdraft and won’t allow people to get into debt. Every time someone uses the card at their local post office, the sub-postmaster receives a small payment from the Government. This is worth up to 12 per cent of some sub-postmasters’ pay. It is the reason why some branches can still survive.
This month the Government is due to announce whether they will continue to use the Post Office for this service or find another provider. If they do not stick with the Post Office hundreds more local offices will be placed in jeopardy – including several in Warrington.
“This decision is simply vital for the future of the remaining network……we hope very much the government will not decide to move this revenue source and therefore close more offices.
“The Conservative Party recently pledged to freeze the entire post office closure programme for the first two years of the next government…..I welcome that commitment.”