"Post Offices the hub of rural communities" says Farron

Shadow Secretary of State for DEFRA Tim Farron MP today asked the Department to do more to protect rural communities by calling on the Government to expand the rural post office network.

Speaking at DEFRA questions, Mr Farron highlighted the reductions to basic salaries that had seen Postmasters in Westmorland and Lonsdale have their core tier payment slashed by 15%.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"The disdain with which this Government has treated the Post Office network shows that their priorities do not lie with rural communities.

"Rural communities have born the brunt of the forced closure of 2500 post offices branches this year and now they face the prospect of having the Post Office Card Account taken away from them.

"The post office network is the glue that holds our rural communities together. Securing the Post Office Card Account would not only increase Postmasters' basic salaries; but ensure that the hub of the rural community is not destroyed."