Stevenson Condemns Phasing Out Of Post Office Card Accounts

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has given support to fellow North-east MSP Richard Lochhead’s Parliamentary Motion regarding the shock news that Post Office Card Accounts are to be phased out.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“It has come as a huge shock that Post Office Card Accounts are due to be phased out by 2010.  Pension and benefits claimants in the North-east of Scotland will regard this as a colossal blow as many rely on the service heavily, especially in places where local bank branches are now no longer to be found.  Post Office staff who view the scheme as a vital service are also puzzled by this recent announcement.

“I believe that the phasing out of this service could put the future of some rural Post Offices in severe danger and lead to many of these lifeline services being lost to communities already being stripped of other vital services.  This I find extremely worrying.

“I am fully supportive of the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters’ campaign to have Post Office Card Accounts retained and the Scottish Government should make appropriate representations to the UK Government on behalf of Post Office Card Account users in Scotland.”