492 residents in Southport and the Northern Parishes have signed the Conservatives petition opposing mass Post Office closures currently being considered by the government.
The plans under consideration could see up to half of Britain’s post offices close, meaning that 8 of 17 post offices in Southport and the Northern Parishes could close.
This is because the government is considering ending the Post Office subsidy. Nearly half of Britain’s post offices do not currently make a profit after being hit by a more than doubling of business rates and the National Insurance Jobs Tax under Labour.
This is despite the Labour manifesto committing to ‘strengthen the Post Office network’.
There are fears the Post Office network could be about to see a repeat of the savage cuts which took place under the last Labour government when 7,166 closed, equivalent to more than one a day.
The signatories are some of the 165,000 across Britain who have stood up against the government for their Post Offices.
Commenting, Mike Prendergast, Spokesperson for Southport Conservatives said:
“We are lucky to have so many great post offices in Southport and the Northern Parishes which help our high streets thrive and support our local communities.”
“But all that is being put at risk because of Labour’s decision to consider closing up to half of our post offices, including in Southport and the Northern Parishes. That is why 492 residents have signed the Conservatives petition to get the government to U-turn on their plans.”
“We have made Labour U-turn before and through the Conservatives strong leadership we can get them to do it again, protecting our post offices and our high streets.”
“Many people across our area rely on their post office for a range of services and shutting up to half will have a hugely negative impact on those who rely on their local post office.”
Harriett Baldwin, Shadow Post Office Minister, said:
“Post Offices are far more than a place to send letters. They offer key services for local businesses, help those not online access government services and help to keep our high streets alive.”
“That is why the Conservatives and 165,000 people from across Britain are standing up to Labour by objecting to the branch closures they are considering which could see 5,000 post offices lost.”
“Only the Conservatives have a leader with a backbone and the strong team needed to stand up for our high streets and build stronger local economies.”
