Post office card account u-turn welcomed (From Western Telegraph)

Post office card account u-turn welcomed

9:00am Saturday 22nd November 2008 in News

Postmasters throughout Pembrokeshire have welcomed the Government U-turn on Post Office card accounts.

After originally going out to tender on the accounts – which are used to distribute benefits and pensions – Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, James Purnell, said a new contract would be awarded to the Post Office from 2010 to March 2015 “in order to support a viable post office network.”

John Murphy, sub-postmaster at Kilgetty, said: “I’m surprised but extremely pleased about it. It’s brilliant news. Now everyone can build for the future.”

Johnston sub-postmistress Rosalind McKnight, added: “I am absolutely delighted and glad that the Government has bowed to public pressure. It’s just a pity they didn’t do it sooner. I am sorry they have wasted all that time, effort and money, but glad they have at last seen sense.”

Marion Moverley, of Goodwick and Arfon Morgan, sub-postmaster in St Davids also welcomed the “excellent news”.

But Preseli Pembrokeshire Conservative MP Stephen Crabb pointed out that Labour’s closure programme had shut seven post offices in the county.

“I am sure that those who have already lost their local post office will want to know if their branch could have been saved had a decision been made sooner,” he said.

*Dale post office reopened yesterday (Friday) after being forced to close temporarily in September following the resignation of the sub-postmistress.