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PM praises Post Office campaign

Prime Minister Tony Blair has written a letter praising the Scunthorpe Telegraph for its campaign to highlight the plight of local post offices.

Hundreds of readers responded with support for sub-postmasters in North Lincolnshire after plans for a shake-up of the service were unveiled in January.

In his letter, used on page one of the Telegraph yesterday (Thursday), Mr Blair said: “The Scunthorpe Telegraph, on behalf of thousands of its readers, sent a strong message to me that you wanted action to save your local post offices.

“First let me congratulate the Telegraph on your Post Office campaign. It rightly highlighted the special place that post offices have in our national life.”

Mr Blair added: “Yesterday, the Government showed we have listened, with new measures and financial support to help secure the long-term future of the Post Office network.

“This is not a quick fix or an instant reaction to the latest passing bandwagon. It’s a long-term solution, worked up in partnership with all those – like the Telegraph – who genuinely want a secure future for our post offices.

“I believe this package gives post offices the chance not just to survive but to thrive in the new century. Exactly what the Telegraph wanted.”

Mr Blair said: “But post offices are not – as the Telegraph campaign recognised – just businesses. They are a lifeline for many people and provide a focal point for the community in both rural and urban areas.”

But he said fewer people were using post offices each year as today’s society was moving towards a cashless society.

“It’s why I’m convinced the decision to phase out order books and giro cheques from 2003 is right. But I also accept that this change will increase pressure on post offices.”

He said that was why last October he asked the new Performance and Innovation Unit to draw up a strategy to build a strong future for the post office network.

“Their report and recommendations, published yesterday, were immediately accepted by the Government.

“The report sends a clear message that the future for the Post Office lies in improving and expanding services to its customers. It means better premises and facilities; seizing new business opportunities; and an expanded role offering Government services. All of this the Government will support.”

Mr Blair said: “No-one can guarantee, of course, that every rural post office will stay open. Some, for instance, will shut because their owners want to leave the business and the Post Office can find no-one to replace them.

“But what we intend to do is stop any preventable closures in future. The Government is going to provide cash support to help rural post offices cope with the switch to electronic paying of benefits when that is phased in from 2003.

“This support is what rural post masters wanted to help them over this difficult transitional period as they build up new business lines, a process the Government is also backing.”

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