Post Office Card Accounts
In the past few months over 500 people have contacted me to let me know that they are concerned about the withdrawal of the Post Office Card Account in 2010.
Many are concerned about how this change will affect how they collect their pensions or their benefits and some are concerned about how this change will affect the viability of their local Post Office.
Following meetings with Postmasters and customers, I have held talks with Pensions Minister James Plaskitt and Treasury Minister Ed Balls.
I have discussed with them the need for the Government to try to do more to persuade the major banks, who do not currently allow their customers to access accounts via Post Offices, to do so. In my view this would help reinforce the prospects for many Post Offices in the run up to 2010.
I know this is an issue of upmost concern to many Post Office customers and I am continuing to keep a close eye on it within Parliament, and to ensure that the concerns of local people are put forward to those making the decisions.
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