UKIP press release on post office closures

eublues · 17-05-2007, 11:27 PM

Good stuff - can the press office get this out to all the local papers round the country? (By the way, a typo in the final sentence.)

17-05-2007
Failure to deliver

The government was accused today of covering up the true reason why thousands of British Post Offices will be closed.

In spite of all their explanations, they have not revealed the true reason behind the closures.

"The plain truth is that the scandal of these closures is because of a ruling from the European Commission." said UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage today.

"Three years ago, this government signed away the Royal Mail's ability to conduct its own financial affairs."

The deal struck in 2003 with the European Commission allowed the government to provide £150 million a year to subsidise the Post Office, which has been extended by another three years. However, the costs of backing the service cost £4 million a week, which means a £58 million deficit every year.

Mr Farage continued, "The government have spent their time trying to lure people away from post offices by stopping many of the services they once provided, so they can lay the blame of the closures at their feet. They clearly think this is much more convenient than having to explain to people that the European Commission won't let them support these vital services any more.

"Why should we have to go to Brussels to beg permission to fund a service which is important to so many local communities; especially in rural areas?

"Thanks to the EU, the profitable services have been 'cherry-picked' whilst the small and rural post offices will get axed.

"It's about time we stamped on the power of the European Union is we are going to address the problems facing the postal services: they have consistently failed to deliver."

Britannist · 18-05-2007, 08:12 AM

More on Labour's Post Office closures at:

:arrow:
http://www.democracyforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=20460

Anthony Butcher · 18-05-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eublues

The deal struck in 2003 with the European Commission allowed the government to provide £150 million a year to subsidise the Post Office, which has been extended by another three years. However, the costs of backing the service cost £4 million a week, which means a £58 million deficit every year.

I am not sure that this critical paragraph is clearly written. I think it might have been a little easier to understand if it had been something like:

Quote:

"The deal struck in 2003 with the European Commission allowed the government to provide a maximum of £150 million per year to subsidise the Post Office. However, the post office is still left with a deficit of £58 million each year, which the British government isn't allowed to assist with due to EU rules. Hence they have to make savings by closing post offices."

C_steam · 18-05-2007, 11:03 AM

Good release, if a little late, most of the 'news' on this subject is already a couple of days old.

eublues · 03-08-2007, 07:03 PM

This is a particularly sick turn of events I feel:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...3/npost103.xml

Post Office 'blackmail' to enforce closures
By Graeme Wilson, Political Correspondent
Last Updated: 6:36am BST 03/08/2007

Post office bosses were accused of "blackmail" after a leaked letter showed that they have warned postmasters they will lose thousands of pounds in compensation if they do not stick to the officially approved script on closures.

The leaked letter: Click to enlarge

In a highly contentious move, undercover staff will be sent around the country to check that postmasters are using the official "lines to take" when customers ask about the Government's plans to close 2,500 post offices.

The woman in charge of the closure programme spelt out the plans in a letter to postmasters, which was leaked to the Conservatives.

The letter from Sue Huggins, the director responsible for the so-called Network Change Programme, was accompanied by a two-page crib-sheet spelling out the "key messages" they must deliver if people ask about the closures.

Miss Huggins made clear that postmasters whose offices are selected for closure could lose compensation packages - which are worth about £60,000 - if they did not co-operate.

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"During the Programme, representatives of the Post Office Limited will visit branches at random, on an anonymous basis, in order to ensure these 'key messages' are being delivered in an accurate and professional manner," said Miss Huggins, in the letter sent to thousands of postmasters.

"Subject to state aid clearance, any compensation package offered to you if your branch is selected for closure shall be subject to you having complied, and continuing to comply, with this obligation up to the date of closure."

Her letter - which was described as "Maoist" and like the "secret police" - made clear that Post Office bosses wanted to keep details of the closure programme "confidential".

However, she said they appreciated "that customers may ask questions that you might find difficult to answer.

With this in mind, please find enclosed a 'key messages/FAQ' [frequently asked questions] document for you to use when answering questions from customers."

George Thomson, the general secretary of the National Federation of SubPostmasters, wrote to Alan Cook, the managing director of Post Office Ltd, to protest at the letter's tone.

2,500 post offices will be axed by the end of 2008

Mr Thomson has been told that an apology will be sent to postmasters.

Last night he said: "The Federation accepts that this was an error of judgment by Post Office Ltd and we are confident that Post Office Ltd will apologise in due course."

In a statement, the Post Office said: "We are sending sub-postmasters clarification and an apology for the unintended impression given by the letter."

The row centres on the Government's announcement that 2,500 out of 14,300 post offices will be axed by the end of 2008. A total of 4,600 have already closed in the past decade.

The Daily Telegraph led a high-profile "Stop Jim - Save Your Post Office" campaign against the closures, which was backed by more than 50,000 readers.

The campaign helped persuade ministers to scrap their plans to axe the Post Office Card Account.

Campaigners fear the closures will devastate the rural post office network and force thousands of elderly people to travel even further to find an outlet that is open.

The Post Office's heavy-handed intervention was condemned last night by Alan Duncan, the shadow business secretary.

"It is shameful that the Government, which is closing thousands of post offices, should blackmail hard working sub-postmasters into parroting the political spin of Gordon Brown to customers," he said.

"It is not appropriate in a free country for a national employer like the Post Office to use the tactics of the secret police to demand Maoist conformity to their line.

"Explaining their view is one thing, but to go around spying on their branches and employees is quite sick. Is this what Mr Brown meant when he said there would be an end to spin?"

The two-page document spelling out the officially approved script offers answers to about a dozen questions.

There are three approved responses. For instance, if a customer asks why post offices are closing: falling customer numbers; a change in customer behaviour, with more people using the internet and telephone; and "unsustainable" financial losses.

If asked how post offices are selected for closure, the official "line to take" tells sub-postmasters to mention six factors, including the availability of public transport and a post office's financial performance.

If customers ask if they can express their views on closures, postmasters are told to explain that there was a 12-week public consultation earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Royal Mail is in chaos following three one-day strikes by postal staff.

The action is believed to have created a backlog of more than 100 million letters and parcels - and there is no sign of a deal to end the dispute. Royal Mail bosses insist they cannot improve their 2.5 per cent pay offer.

Adam Crozier, the Royal Mail chief executive, is one of the highest paid public sector bosses. He earned more than £1 million in 2005-06.

17-05-2007, 11:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
eublues Uber Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,005	UKIP press release on post office closures Good stuff - can the press office get this out to all the local papers round the country? (By the way, a typo in the final sentence.) 17-05-2007 Failure to deliver The government was accused today of covering up the true reason why thousands of British Post Offices will be closed. In spite of all their explanations, they have not revealed the true reason behind the closures. "The plain truth is that the scandal of these closures is because of a ruling from the European Commission." said UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage today. "Three years ago, this government signed away the Royal Mail's ability to conduct its own financial affairs." The deal struck in 2003 with the European Commission allowed the government to provide £150 million a year to subsidise the Post Office, which has been extended by another three years. However, the costs of backing the service cost £4 million a week, which means a £58 million deficit every year. Mr Farage continued, "The government have spent their time trying to lure people away from post offices by stopping many of the services they once provided, so they can lay the blame of the closures at their feet. They clearly think this is much more convenient than having to explain to people that the European Commission won't let them support these vital services any more. "Why should we have to go to Brussels to beg permission to fund a service which is important to so many local communities; especially in rural areas? "Thanks to the EU, the profitable services have been 'cherry-picked' whilst the small and rural post offices will get axed. "It's about time we stamped on the power of the European Union is we are going to address the problems facing the postal services: they have consistently failed to deliver."

18-05-2007, 08:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 22,896	Post Office closures More on Labour's Post Office closures at: :arrow: http://www.democracyforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=20460

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18-05-2007, 11:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
C_steam Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Paddling up 5hit creek..... Posts: 7,500	Good release, if a little late, most of the 'news' on this subject is already a couple of days old.

03-08-2007, 07:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
eublues Uber Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,005	This is a particularly sick turn of events I feel: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...3/npost103.xml Post Office 'blackmail' to enforce closures By Graeme Wilson, Political Correspondent Last Updated: 6:36am BST 03/08/2007 Post office bosses were accused of "blackmail" after a leaked letter showed that they have warned postmasters they will lose thousands of pounds in compensation if they do not stick to the officially approved script on closures. The leaked letter: Click to enlarge In a highly contentious move, undercover staff will be sent around the country to check that postmasters are using the official "lines to take" when customers ask about the Government's plans to close 2,500 post offices. The woman in charge of the closure programme spelt out the plans in a letter to postmasters, which was leaked to the Conservatives. The letter from Sue Huggins, the director responsible for the so-called Network Change Programme, was accompanied by a two-page crib-sheet spelling out the "key messages" they must deliver if people ask about the closures. Miss Huggins made clear that postmasters whose offices are selected for closure could lose compensation packages - which are worth about £60,000 - if they did not co-operate. advertisement "During the Programme, representatives of the Post Office Limited will visit branches at random, on an anonymous basis, in order to ensure these 'key messages' are being delivered in an accurate and professional manner," said Miss Huggins, in the letter sent to thousands of postmasters. "Subject to state aid clearance, any compensation package offered to you if your branch is selected for closure shall be subject to you having complied, and continuing to comply, with this obligation up to the date of closure." Her letter - which was described as "Maoist" and like the "secret police" - made clear that Post Office bosses wanted to keep details of the closure programme "confidential". However, she said they appreciated "that customers may ask questions that you might find difficult to answer. With this in mind, please find enclosed a 'key messages/FAQ' [frequently asked questions] document for you to use when answering questions from customers." George Thomson, the general secretary of the National Federation of SubPostmasters, wrote to Alan Cook, the managing director of Post Office Ltd, to protest at the letter's tone. 2,500 post offices will be axed by the end of 2008 Mr Thomson has been told that an apology will be sent to postmasters. Last night he said: "The Federation accepts that this was an error of judgment by Post Office Ltd and we are confident that Post Office Ltd will apologise in due course." In a statement, the Post Office said: "We are sending sub-postmasters clarification and an apology for the unintended impression given by the letter." The row centres on the Government's announcement that 2,500 out of 14,300 post offices will be axed by the end of 2008. A total of 4,600 have already closed in the past decade. The Daily Telegraph led a high-profile "Stop Jim - Save Your Post Office" campaign against the closures, which was backed by more than 50,000 readers. The campaign helped persuade ministers to scrap their plans to axe the Post Office Card Account. Campaigners fear the closures will devastate the rural post office network and force thousands of elderly people to travel even further to find an outlet that is open. The Post Office's heavy-handed intervention was condemned last night by Alan Duncan, the shadow business secretary. "It is shameful that the Government, which is closing thousands of post offices, should blackmail hard working sub-postmasters into parroting the political spin of Gordon Brown to customers," he said. "It is not appropriate in a free country for a national employer like the Post Office to use the tactics of the secret police to demand Maoist conformity to their line. "Explaining their view is one thing, but to go around spying on their branches and employees is quite sick. Is this what Mr Brown meant when he said there would be an end to spin?" The two-page document spelling out the officially approved script offers answers to about a dozen questions. There are three approved responses. For instance, if a customer asks why post offices are closing: falling customer numbers; a change in customer behaviour, with more people using the internet and telephone; and "unsustainable" financial losses. If asked how post offices are selected for closure, the official "line to take" tells sub-postmasters to mention six factors, including the availability of public transport and a post office's financial performance. If customers ask if they can express their views on closures, postmasters are told to explain that there was a 12-week public consultation earlier this year. Meanwhile, Royal Mail is in chaos following three one-day strikes by postal staff. The action is believed to have created a backlog of more than 100 million letters and parcels - and there is no sign of a deal to end the dispute. Royal Mail bosses insist they cannot improve their 2.5 per cent pay offer. Adam Crozier, the Royal Mail chief executive, is one of the highest paid public sector bosses. He earned more than £1 million in 2005-06.