Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/488/2437
From The Socialist newspaper, 24 May 2007
Darling attacks Post Offices
GOVERNMENT MINISTER Alistair Darling confirmed the closure, last week, of a further 2,500 post offices out of the current network of 14,000. Ignoring the views of four million people who signed a petition opposing these closures, Darling complained that the network is losing too much money. A government grant of £150 million to protect the network expires in 2008.
However, the main reason for these losses is that the government has ended a number of key revenue-generating contracts, including the TV licence service. And by 2010 the government also plans to scrap the post office card account - which millions of people use to access pensions and other benefits.
Since 1999, 4,000 post offices have been shut and not only in rural areas. The number of post offices in urban areas has been slashed by one-third in this period. After previous closures the government reassured the public that everyone would have access to a post office within a mile's distance. Now they say it will be three miles (95% coverage in rural areas).
If the government is so concerned about 'subsidising' public services perhaps they should consider ending the public-sector Private Finance Initiative schemes, which involve handing over large sums from the public purse in order to guarantee profits for big business.
Dave Carr
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In The Socialist 24 May 2007:
Public-sector workers say...Fight Brown's pay freeze
PCS: Public-sector unity to defend jobs and services
National Shop Stewards Network
Postal workers' strike ballot: Vote 'yes' for a future
Greenwich workers shame councillors
Labour Party leadership
Gordon Brown crowned leader with no contest
John McDonnell speaks to the socialist
Education
Academies: No to these divisive schools
Lewisham council attacks education
Canteen workers oppose school meals cuts
School campaigners shake Wokingham
Socialist Party NHS campaign
Nursing staff strike shows way forward
Socialist Party news and analysis
Marxist analysis: history
Belfast 1907 - a city in revolt
Environment and socialism
Can solar power solve our energy needs?
Scotland
SNP in power - populism and cuts
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