OVER the last couple of weeks, I have written to nearly 1,200 constituents who contacted me regarding the renewal of the Post Office Card Account, and their wish for this service to remain the same.
I am therefore using this week's column to let readers know the reasons behind the decisions taken.
Many readers were worried about the future of the Post Office Card Account.
This was clear from my mailbag and the people I have met at my s
urgeries.
The issue had even made it to the letters page of The Shields Gazette.
I fully appreciated how my constituents felt – many readers have a sense of loyalty to the Post Office as it is seen as a safe, secure and reliable provider of services.
I met with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Rt Hon James Purnell MP, and I told him what the feelings of local people on this matter in South Shields were,
and what action they wanted to see. I am delighted that Mr Purnell has listened, and taken decisive action.
The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, recently wrote to me about Post Office Card Accounts, and in his letter he stated that "the Government has been able to find a fair solution to a problem that's been on a lot of people's minds...
"The decision regarding the Post Office Card Accounts and the record investment mean we now have modern Post Office branches in the right places to serve people."
The new contract for the continuation of the Post Office Card Account was awarded to the Post Office.
By doing this, the Government has guaranteed an important source of income to Post Offices, and, according to the National Federation of Sub-Masters, it will help keep as many as 3,000 extra branches open.
The Government is now offering a subsidy of £1.7bn to help maintain a national Post Office network.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those constituents who contacted me on this matter.
Your voice was heard at the heart of government and by campaigning together on this matter, we have received the best possible outcome.
