Tony Lloyd MP backs #SaveOurPostOffice Campaign

Tony Lloyd shows his support

MP Tony Lloyd has announced he is backing the Communications Workers Union (CWU) campaign to ‘save our post office’.

Following the Postal Services Act in 2013, The Post Office was separated from Royal Mail and the CWU is campaigning for a successful post office network which brings a range of quality services to communities across the UK.

Mr Lloyd said: “I'm getting behind the CWU's campaign to keep Post Offices open.

“Franchising our post offices would result in longer queuing times, sub-standard service, reduced services, inferior advice given on products, and poor disabled access.

“In addition, local economies and lives are hit by quality jobs being replaced with low pay insecure work, and high streets are often decimated by the closing of Crown Offices in prime sites that once provided custom in the area, jeopardising the needs of the communities that depend on their existence.”

A 10-year inter-business contract was brought in after CWU lobbying to ensure that Royal Mail continues to use the post office network, securing key business for the next decade.

A spokesperson for the Post Office said: "We are keeping Post Offices open and safeguarding our services for customers.  We are franchising some more of our branches to ensure they are sustainable for the future. 

"The vast majority of Post Offices, large and small, already successfully operate this way and have done for decades. This includes thousands of main branches in towns and cities.

"By working with retailers, we are keeping Post Offices on high streets and at the heart of communities, continuing to play an important role in local economies."

A petition opposing the franchising of the Post Office has been started by the CWU, calling for the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which the Post Office falls under, to abandon the move.

You can sign the petition at:

• www.saveourpostoffice.co.uk