Thursday 13 November 2008

LABOUR GIVES CARD ACCOUNT BOOST TO POST OFFICE

Local Post Offices received a boost today as the Labour Government awarded the contract for the POCA service to the Post Office. The news will be welcomed by local post offices who rely on the business people picking up their pensions or benefits through the Post Office Card Account brings into branches. Around 6,850 people in Crewe and Nantwich have accounts.

Welcoming the news Labour PPC for Crewe and Nantwich, David Williams said:

“This is great news for local post offices. I am delighted that the Government has listened. With the financial crisis that started with the American banks now being felt here in Britain, people are feeling worried about their finances. Post Offices are often the only providers of banking services in local areas so this vote of confidence in the post office is very welcome. This is the right decision for Crewe and Nantwich.”

The Labour Government has decided to award a new contract for the continuation of POCA directly to the Post Office. This announcement is good news for the Post Office as the card account is an important source of income and brings customers through the doors of post offices across the country. The National Federation of Sub Post Masters had said that, without POCA 3,000 Post Offices would close.

ENDS

For further information please do not hesitate to contact David Williams on 07798 696 603.

Notes to Editors:

The Post Office Card Account is a very straightforward account specifically designed to pay benefits administered by the Department for Work and Pensions, the Northern Ireland Social Security Agency, Service Personnel and Veterans Agency and Inland Revenue tax credits.

Only benefits and pensions can be paid in and they are collected across a post office counter using a plastic card and PIN.

About four million people receive their benefits and pensions this way, including around two million pensioners.

The National Federation of Sub Postmasters had claimed that 3,000 post offices might close if post office did not receive the contract.

Please click here to see the wide range of services offered by your local Post office.

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