MPs criticise Post Office closure 'consultations

Feb 9 2008 By Rob Merrick

THE public believes the Post Office’s “consultations” before it axes any branches are a sham, a highly-critical report by MPs warned yesterday(Fri Feb 8).

The programme to shut 38 post offices in Merseyside and Cheshire – part of 2,500 closures nationwide – has been rushed and is shrouded in secrecy, the Commons business committee said.

Its report also said crucial factors, such as poor public transport links, or high numbers of elderly people, had not been taken into account when identifying the branches to disappear.

And it highlighted evidence of “intimidation” of sub- postmasters, by threatening them with a loss of compensation if they criticised the closure plans.

The report comes two weeks after it was announced the 38 outlets – including nine in Liverpool, five in Wirral, five in Warrington and five in Chester – will be axed.

The government has insisted the closures are necessary to stem losses, running at £4m a week, and to save the rest of the network.

But yesterday’s report identified “serious problems” with the way the network is being shrunk, following six- week consultations on every proposal.

It warned of a widespread “belief the public consultations are a sham” and attacked Post Office Ltd for shutting out both MPs and local authorities.

The MPs also called for the watchdog Postwatch to be given the power to block any closures of “commercially viable” outlets, warning that some may be lost.

And it demanded that “outreach” services to replace closed branches – such as mobile post offices – be open for much longer than the “unacceptable” two hours per week planned.

Peter Luff, the committee’s Tory chairman, said: “Consultation has been curtailed and the whole process has been rushed.

“The secrecy in which the pre-consulation period is shrouded is also creating the impression that, by the time it gets to the public consultation stage, the decision on a post office’s future is a fait accompli.”

“It is essential there is genuine consultation and it is seen as such.”

“Importantly, the needs of communities must be given greater priority when offices are closed.”

Most alarmingly, the committee condemned an “inexcusable” letter sent to some sub-postmasters, warning they could be visited by undercover staff to ensure they were sticking to “key messages”.

The letter, which Post Office Ltd later retracted, warned that “any compensation package offered to you shall be subject to you having complied”.

Condemning “this inexcusable lapse”, the report concluded: “The public has a right to expect government-controlled enterprises to behave in an exemplary way.”

The report also called for no further closures after 2011 on top of the 2,500 to go. The government has hinted another 4,000 outlets could be vulnerable.