Government plans for Post Office need to be more ambitious for rural communities

2.32.07pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 6th Oct 2009

Government plans to expand the financial services role for the Post Office have been welcomed by South Lakes MP Tim Farron, however, Mr Farron has warned the proposals don't do nearly enough to protect post offices in rural communities.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"This is a welcome announcement, but unfortunately is just another example of the government dressing up old news.

"The post office has always been able to provide vital financial services such as pensions, bank accounts and savings to people in rural communities. What the post office needs is not another pointless announcement, but real investment in the post office network.

"I have asked Gordon Brown to instruct all the banks that received a taxpayer funded bailout to offer their full range of financial services at local post offices. This would be an excellent way of making use of the publicly owned banks to protect post offices in rural areas like ours."