Lib Dems oppose scrapping of Post Office champion

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Apr 2007

Susan Kramer is opposing plans to scrap Postwatch

Susan Kramer, Lib Dem MP for Richmond Park, is opposing plans to scrap Postwatch and to absorb it into a rejigged National Consumer Council. She is sitting on the Parliamentary committee scrutinising the Bill which will abolish a range of consumer organisations including Energy Watch. The committee will sit for a number of weeks and she will be moving amendments to try and improve the Bill.

Susan Kramer said:

"We have seen the impact of local post office closures ...which means [many] places now have no sub post offices.

"Postwatch has always been there to scrutinise Royal Mail's decisions and also had a regional structure so it could keep an eye on local issues.

"Under the proposed new arrangements it will appear at a time when the axe is hanging over 2,500 post offices in the UK.

"How are we going to hold Royal Mail to account in the future? My amendments include a call for a delay in abolishing Postwatch until 2010."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Postwatch is the independent consumer watchdog for postal services. It was set up to ensure that post offices, Parcelforce, Royal Mail and any competing postal providers, give the best service possible to their customers.

Their role is to represent consumer interests and to help with any problems or concerns about postal matters.