The Government has launched a consultation, which if agreed to & implemented, would mean that millions more people on lower incomes will be able to open a bank account, get a mortgage and qualify for cheaper direct debit fuel tariffs. This is part of Government plans to turn the Post Office into the “People’s Bank”. They also want it to reintroduce a children’s savings account.

Leaflets providing details about the plans and offering customers the chance to provide feedback should be available in all branches of the Post Office over the next few weeks.

I would urge you to get involved and reply positively to this consultation. I campaigned with Cllrs Iain Bowen, Penny Wagg and John Hemming MP to save the post office at 1 Olton Boulevard East. That campaign was unsuccessful and it closed, despite very good reasons why it should have stayed open. More post offices will close unless they increase their range of services and become more financially viable. This consultation provides an opportunity to help them do exactly this.

The full consultation document is available by clicking here. The final date for replies is 24 February 2010.