'Sign up to save the Post Office' - Lib Dems urge (Cambridge Liberal Democrats)

Cambridge Liberal Democrats <camlibdems@gmail.com>

'Sign up to save the Post Office' - Lib Dems urge

April 24, 2006 10:01 AM

Cambridge City Liberal Democrats are today backing the National Federation of Sub Postmasters' national petition which calls upon the Government to reverse its decision to end support for the Post Office Card Account (POCA).

Liberal Democrat campaigners in Cambridge are asking members of the public to add their voice to the Federation's campaign against the Government's decision to axe POCA.

Used by 4.3 million people, the POCA is the only Post Office based option for the receipt of state pension and benefits. The Federation believes that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is already phasing out the card account ahead of its planned withdrawal in 2010, denying customers a choice in how they access their benefit payments and forcing them to receive them through a bank account, which for many is unsuitable.

Councillor Ian Nimmo-Smith, Leader of the Council said:

"I fear that the withdrawal of the card account will force the closure of further Post Offices in Cambridge, which in turn will undermine our local communities and adversely affect the well-being of many individuals, particularly those in vulnerable or financially excluded groups.

"I urge Cambridge residents to sign copies of the petition which are available at post offices, on the web and from the Liberal Democrat party offices in Cambridge."