SMITH AND CAMPBELL ATTACK GOVERNMENTS "FULL SCALE OFFENSIVE" ON POST OFFICES

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 26th Jun 2008

North East Fife Liberal Democrats Sir Menzies Campbell MP and Iain Smith MSP have thrown their weight behind the campaign by the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters to save the Post Office card account (POCA2), which enables over 4 million people to access their pensions and benefits at a Post Office each week.

The current contract for providing pensions and benefits is due for renewal by the Government and Liberal Democrats are keen that the Post Office is awarded the new card account. The National Federation of Sub-Postmasters estimates that the loss of this service will result in 3000 more Post offices being forced to close.

This move, coupled with the current Post Office plans to close Post Offices in North East Fife, has been branded by Sir Menzies and Mr Smith as a "full scale offensive" on the vital service offered by the local Post office.

Sir Menzies and Mr Smith said:

"I have said it time and time again. Post Offices have a very important role to play in people's lives. They are vital assets for many local people and any closure will cause inconvenience. Post Offices are also ideally placed to provide pensions and benefits.

"Liberal Democrats have vigorously opposed the Government's plans to close 2,500 Post offices this year, on top of the 4,000 they have already closed, along with the 3,500 closed by the Conservatives. If pensions and benefits can no longer be obtained from Post Offices this would damage the PO network even more. This full scale offensive must be resisted."