Victory for Post Offices

The Post Office Card Account has been saved

Today's announcement by the Work and Pensions minister James Purnell has allayed customers' fears by confirming that it will be staying where it belongs. There had been ongoing discussions about procurement of a private provider.

This is welcome news for all Post Office campaigners - including myself and many local residents - who recognise the central role that Post Offices play in communities. It's excellent to see that the Government agrees.

The Account earns the Post Office around £200 million a year. The loss of this income risked making many local Post Offices inviable. The National Federation of Sub-Postmasters have estimated that the Minister's decision has saved up to 3,000 post offices nationally.

I have campaigned extensively and sucessfully on this issue in the past. The Post Office is a vital national asset and this move should go some way to preserving it for the long term.