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Gordon Lishman‚ Director General of Age Concern‚ said:

‘We want the Government to really listen to those who have voiced their concerns about the restructuring of the network. There are serious problems with the Government’s proposals for the post office network that we want to see addressed.

‘We are extremely worried that the 2‚500 post office closures that have been announced will be a minimum rather than a maximum figure. The restructuring criteria could result in many more closures‚ making it much harder for older people to access essential services. The current plans will see closures based purely on distance and don’t allow enough time for local opinions and local issues‚ such as public transport‚ to be examined.

‘Older people want an end to the uncertainty over the future of this lifeline‚ but this must be a lasting solution informed by those who use and depend on the post office. There is no ‘one size fits all solution’. We don’t want to see the first-class service post offices provide for older people damaged by a second-class handling of the restructuring.’

Age Concern’s key recommendations:

• Criteria for restructuring the post office network must include access to public transport‚ which can be as much of a barrier as distance‚ particularly for older people.
• The restructuring process of the network must be longer than 18 months to allow time for thorough local consultation.
• Six weeks is not long enough for a local response to a closure announcement‚ consultation should last at least 12 weeks.
• If a post office has to close the replacement service should be available immediately to ensure no gap in service provision.
• The Government must put pressure on banks to ensure all bank accounts are accessible through post offices.
• The Post Office Card Account (POCA) must be replaced by a better product and must remain post office based. There must be a simple application process for the replacement POCA and a choice to opt into receiving the pension and benefits through the replacement POCA at any time.

ENDS

s/45.08.03.07/eh

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