POST OFFICE CLOSURES IN LONDON ACCELERATING AT AN ALARMING RATE - TEATHER

6.17.20pm GMT Wed 16th Feb 2005

Sarah is alarmed at the acceleration of Post Office closures

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for London, Sarah Teather MP has today revealed figures which show the number of Post Office closures in Greater London is increasing at an alarming rate. Last year 155 Post Offices closed in the Greater London area, in the first part of this year 87 have closed already.

Commenting on the figures Sarah Teather MP said:

"The Labour Government is systematically destroying the local Post Office network. These closures hurt the most vulnerable in society, pensioners, disabled people and single parent families. At the next General Election voters across London must remember that the blame for their local Post Office closing lies squarely at the feet of the Labour Government.

"The rate at which post offices are closing across London will have a devastating impact on many communities. Post Offices are the rock-bed of the local community they are a dependable friend to many who are most vulnerable in our community."

Notes

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices have closed in the Greater London area in each of the last five years. [215166]

Mr. Sutcliffe: Data for Greater London are available from March 2000. The net closure figures for the London region are:

Number

2001(47) 10

2002(47) 16

2003(47) (48)44

2004(47) (49)155

2004-05(51) (50)87

(47) Year to end March.

(48) Including 11 under the urban reinvention programme.

(49) Including 142 under the urban reinvention programme.

(50) Including 75 under the urban reinvention programme.

(51) First half.