PRESS RELEASE

13 November 2008

LYNNE JONES MP WELCOMES GOVERNMENT DECISION ON POST OFFICE CARD ACCOUNT

Local post offices received a boost today as the Government announced that it would extend the contract for the POCA service with the Post Office to 2015 and beyond.  The news will be welcomed by local post offices that rely on the business brought in by people picking up their pensions or benefits through the POCA.  Around 6,100 people in Lynne's Birmingham Selly Oak constituency, including the MP herself, have accounts with the Post Office.

Welcoming the news, Lynne Jones MP thanked local people for campaigning with her on the issue:

“This is great news for the post office and the public.  I am delighted that the Government has listened to the strong case that was made to retain the POCA with the Post Office.  I would like to thank everyone who has stood up for local post offices and made their voices known on this.”

“The loss of the Post Office Card Account threatened the viability of up to a quarter of the Post Office network.  With its retention, there is now an opportunity to expand the banking services that post offices are able to offer to ensure they are sustainable well into the future.” 

ENDS