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Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said:

“We would warmly welcome councils looking into the feasibility of providing post offices through local government facilities, such as community centres. Our research shows how much of a lifeline older people consider their local post office to be, acting as a ‘one-stop shop’ to access their pension and benefits, pay bills, get advice and socialise.

“The current raft of post office closures will see much valued post offices close and will leave many older people worried about how they will access alternative services. The proposed 500 outreach services simply won’t fill the gaps the closures will make.

“This sort of imaginative approach to providing post office services in alternative premises, could help to keep vulnerable older people socially involved and supported in their local community and help maintain vital access to financial services.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

FACT FILE

• Age Concern research shows 76% of older people are worried about losing essential services if their post office is forced to close
• 73% feel that they wouldn’t be able to access similar services in their local area
• 88% would have to make special travel arrangements to reach alternative services
• The proportion of over 65s living in rural areas is growing
• One third of rural householders find it difficult to get to a post office after their local branch is closed
• There are around 8,037, post offices in rural areas (defined as those with populations of less than 10,000)
• Currently only 4% of villages have a bank, compared to 60% with a post office