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We can help keep post offices open

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Published Date: 03 September 2008

Buckstones Close,
Holywell Green

We are all aware of the recent post office closures across Calderdale due to cutbacks imposed by the Government.

At the very time the Labour Government is considering whether to renew the post office card account, failure of which could see a furt

her 3,000 post office closures, the Conservatives have come up with proposals that will not only suspend these forced closures, but will also help less well-off families with their energy bills.

We have pledged to reform post office card accounts so that families without bank accounts can, for the first time, use the card accounts to pay utility bills by direct debit. This proposal, which is supported by leading utility companies, will bring significant savings to energy companies through lower collection costs, which can be passed onto consumers.

This could cut the energy bills of up to four million post office card account holders by up to £100 a year.

These plans will also bring in additional revenue for post offices, helping maintain our important network and stave off more Labour cuts.

(Coun) Amanda Byrne
(Con, Sowerby Bridge)

The full article contains 193 words and appears in Evening Courier newspaper.

Page 1 of 1

Last Updated: 03 September 2008 8:15 AM
Source: Evening Courier
Location: Halifax

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Halifax-Dave,

halifax 03/09/2008 10:46:17

(coun) Amanda Byrne, if the conservatives had not privatised EVERYTHING in the past (ie gas & electric amongst others), we would not be faced with such massive utility bills as we have now. there would be no need to raise prices just to ensure that these private (and mostly foreign) companies made a profit for the benefits of the shareholders and at the expense of the poor folk of england!

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Barry Leotard,

03/09/2008 14:17:36

Halifax-Dave, that is just not true is it?

Do you think nationalised industry just magic gas and electric out of thin air? We could of course subdise these things but we would have to pay via taxation anyway.

Privatisation was one of the best things the last Tory government did. With competition in the market place we have lower prices than we ever would under the old system. The profits are going to shareholders, and investors, some of which will be paying our pensions.

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NeilAdams,

03/09/2008 14:25:53

I used to go into a post office once a year to get my car tax. The times have now changed and I can do this online. Post offices are old fashioned and a waste of space close them all down.

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Richard Langford,

Brighouse 03/09/2008 15:44:35

Another poorly thought out policy by the Conservatives.

Amanda you obviously have very little dealings with Britain's poorer families, if you had then you would know how stupid this idea is.

Direct debits are great for people who have plenty of money in the bank, those people do not have to worry about the £40 charge that is imposed when there is not enough in the bank to pay the direct debit. Those same people also do not have to worry about the other charges that banks apply to accounts which have gone into the red.

It is cheaper for a person to pay a small handling charge everytime they pay their bill than it is to risk the financial catastrophe which is only pennies away when you use direct debits.

How can we vote tory in the next election when your party can't even grasp basic stuff like this?

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oldwarrior,

04/09/2008 08:12:23

Before privatisation organisations like the gas board were bquite caring bodies. Often small jobs would be carried out for customers without any cost.
Once privatised all that ended. Evry job that was carried out had to make a profit.

Industries like gas, electricity, water, telephones should be run, not to make a profit but, run to allow for the necessary future investment and replacement of mains and cables etc and then to almost break even.

Is it right that somebody who can aford to invest and buy shares in these companies, is making huge profits from an old lady huddles around her gas fire in the depths of winter, trying to keep warm?

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,

04/09/2008 09:57:16

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Rob Reynolds,

04/09/2008 12:31:17

When you research the facts, you can see that the Government has axed 40% of Post Office Ltds income. Car tax discs, benefits etc can be obtained elsewhere. Labour will tell you they've invested nearly 2 billion quid. Where has it gone? Not to Post Office Ltd, they've got £40 million for a "modernisation" which is half completed (Post office stats). So I ask two questions; Why close branches when the modernisation isn't even complete? And is £40 million enough to train up sub postmasters into marketing their businesses to get more income to stop the threat of closure? Ask and watch Labour's red faces.

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PrincessFiona,

04/09/2008 16:12:15

Rob
what a daft question why waste money on modernisation if its not viable?

the truth is the usage is pathetic one can pay bills in almost every corner shop!

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Richard Langford,

Brighouse 04/09/2008 17:01:03

Darren i dont need to distort it. It's plain as day. Ill quote it for you if you like.

"use the card accounts to pay utility bills by direct debit"

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Rob Reynolds,

04/09/2008 21:43:02

Dear Princess, sweetie, obviously you're no businesswoman.

Ask why they're not viable? Low usage? How then, can usage be increased? If you can modernise and increase usage and hence income, would there be a need for so many closures?

And Labour have axed 40% of Post Office income, FACT. They're responsible for the unviability.

Not a daft question therefore, sweetie.

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