Telford MP warns Post Office at risk in Royal Mail sell off
Telford MP David Wright is warning that the Post Office faces major risks to its future if the Government rushes ahead with it plan to sell off the Royal Mail this year.
Mr Wright made the comments as it emerged that Minister are being warned by the National Federation of SubPostmasters that the Post Office network will be plunged into crisis with dozens of closures if Royal Mail is privatised.
David Wright MP said:
"This half-baked plan to sell off the Royal Mail to the highest bidder not only risks delivery services - especially in less profitable and rural areas - but also risks fatally undermining the Post Office which relies heavily on the Royal Mail for its business.
"I have made clear my opposition to full privatisation of the Royal Mail, but if the Government is going to put selling off a national treasure before common sense, they should at least delay the process so that this can be properly considered. Rushing ahead because of George Osbourne's economic failure will only make the problem worse."
The National Federation of SubPostmasters urged the Government to delay the £3billion sale until the Post Office network’s future is secured.
The Post offices receive millions each year from Royal Mail to provide services like special delivery and registered post, but the federation fears these could go if a privatised Royal Mail tries to tear up its existing 10-year contract.
General secretary George Thomson, addressing the federation’s annual conference in Torquay, said:
“The network left behind will have an extremely uncertain future due to the appalling lack of new work. We must have confidence the network can survive. If privatisation goes ahead, the post office will be left in an even deeper crisis.”
