Post Offices under threat

One in five Post Offices in the North East have been closed over the past five years, according to figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats. Of the 736 branches in the region in March 2001, only 598 remained open in July 2005, a drop of 138.

But a recent decision by the government to force pensioners to get their pensions through banks rather than their local post office is likely to see thousands more branches close down over the next few years.

The Post Office Card Account is used by thousands of local elderly residents to collect their state pension. The government’s decision is good news for the big banks who will be paid by the government to hand over pension cash. But it is a disaster for post offices, many of which will close as a result.

Lobley Hill and Bensham Liberal Democrat campaigner, Susan Craig, said, "Across Gateshead we have lost 5 post office branches in the past 3 years.

"The government’s decision to force pensioners to stop getting their pension at local post offices will make life more difficult for older people and cause post office branches to close."

Photo: Susan Craig outside the Post Office on Saltwell Road - "The government's decision to force pensioners to use banks to collect their pension will lead to the closure of many Post Office branches."