November 13, 2008
CARD ACCOUNT BOOST FOR POST OFFICE
Wentworth MP John Healey has welcomed a Government move which should ensure the future of the Post Office network.
Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell announced today that the new contract for the Post Office Card Account (POCA) was being awarded directly to the Post Office.
Mr Healey said: “This is an important vote of confidence in post offices. They are local and well-trusted, people are using them for a wide range of services, and I wanted to see that developed further.
“This card account was introduced by the Government in 2003 especially for post offices to help customers receiving pensions or benefits and this confirmation that the contract is going to stay with them for the future is welcome.
“Maintaining a viable Post Office network is even more critical now when people are worried about their finances. Post Offices are often the only providers of banking services in local areas.”
Mr Healey made sure Mr Purcell knew how strongly POCA customers in the Rotherham area felt about Post Office being awarded the new contract after receiving campaign postcards from more than 2,000 constituents.
There are 9,440 POCA holders in the Wenworth constituency.
Mr Purnell, making the announcement in the House of Commons earlier today, said post offices met the needs of vulnerable customers and were at the heart of their communities.
He said POCA was a key part of sub-postmasters’ income and provided vital footfall for branches.
“I know how important post offices are to communities and this will provide real help for these local businesses and their customers in tough times,” he added.
Without POCA, 3,000 post offices could have closed, the National Federation of Sub-postmasters have said.
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