 | 'Considering many sub-post offices in Moray are rural this is a particular concern for myself and the SNP. The continuation of local post offices and the services they provide to pensioners and benefit claimants matters to the SNP.' SNP candidate Richard Lochhead, 9 th April 2006. |  |
Speaking today (Sunday) in a topical debate at the SNP Spring Conference in Dundee, the SNP's candidate for the Moray by-election, Richard Lochhead, will highlight the threat to local post offices with the Government's plans to phase out Post Office card accounts.
Mr Lochhead has already shown how Scotland's post offices matter to the SNP The SNP is working hard to stop the phasing out of the Post Office card accounts by 2010. Just last month, the Moray candidate lead a debate on the issue in the Scottish Parliament calling on the Labour-Liberal Executive to argue Scotland's case with the Westminster Government.
The topical motion expresses particular concern at the impact the move could have on pensioners and benefits claimants in areas with limited access to banks.
Mr Lochhead said:
"The Government's decision to phase out Post Office card accounts will have a devastating impact on rural post offices and also on pensioners and benefits claimants living in rural communities.
"Considering many sub-post offices in Moray are rural this is a particular concern for myself and the SNP. The continuation of local post offices and the services they provide to pensioners and benefit claimants matters to the SNP.
"The fact that ministers in the Labour/Liberal Democrat Executive declined to stand up for the interests of Scotland's rural communities and make it clear to the UK Government that this would be a disastrous measure. The SNP took the lead on this subject showing that the interests of Moray's post offices and pensioners matter to the SNP."
Return to home page