Post Office Campaign

Save our Post Offices

Government figures suggest at least two post offices in Kingston may be under threat.

Why? Because from 2003 all benefit recipients must have a bank account and have their payments paid direct.

Local post offices stand to lose huge amounts of business. Contract income from the Benefits Agency will disappear. Fewer trips to post offices will mean lost revenue.

Some offices will just not be viable.

In January I launched the 'Save our Post Offices' campaign with a petition.

Social costs v economic costs

In an InterNet age, some may think postal payments old fashioned. That seems the Government view.

I happen to disagree. There’s nothing old-fashioned about communities, where the local post office plays its own special role. There's nothing old-fashioned about choice, allowing people to receive payment in cash, and not just electronically.

Of course, Government argues payment direct to bank accounts is cheaper. In terms of processing costs, they are undoubtedly right. Yet in terms of the wider social and economic costs, they are surely wrong. I explained why in a debate in the Commons.

I have now challenged the Chief Executive of the Post Office to visit Malden Manor and discover firsthand what the threatened closures would mean for the residents.

For more about my views read my article in the Informer.

I have also responded to misleading comments made by Councillor David Edwards.

Campaign success

Kingston is soon to benefit from a £40 million state-of-the-art mail sorting facility.

This is first class news for Kingston - a Red Letter Day!

This major investment by Royal Mail in the local sorting network will bring huge benefits to residents and businesses alike - and not before time. Fewer items lost and improved delivery performance should be the main effects.

Residents and shops in Surbiton will benefit too from reduced traffic congestion. When the Borough's existing sorting office moves, they will be saved from the large number of daily journeys by Royal Mail vans to and from the St.Mary's Road site in Surbiton.

Read the full text of my news release on this.

Campaign success
New mail sorting office

Tories mislead public over Post Office debate

Save our post offices!
Informer article

Launch of campaign

Challenge to the Chief Executive

Debate in the Commons

Current campaigns