First Published: Wednesday 12 March 2008, 20:14
In the wake of media reports that up to 50 local authorities may step in to rescue post offices in rural areas which are facing closure, London Mayor Ken Livingstone has reiterated his opposition to the closure of 171 branches in London.
In a statement to MayorWatch, Mayor Livingstone said:
"The closure of Post Offices is highly damaging for Londoners. That's why I am taking legal advice on the feasibility of a challenge to the announcement that 171 Post Offices will be closing in London.
‘The Post Office have said they will consult for just six weeks over the closure proposals rather than the normal 12 weeks which the Government recommends as a minimum. London's Post Offices provide vital support for those who are most in need, particularly the elderly, disabled and those with young children. For many Londoners who do not have access to a bank account, the Post Office is an amenity they cannot do without.
'I believe we need more, not fewer, Post Offices in London. I have written to the Post Office informing them of my intention to launch a legal challenge to their decision but as yet they have not responded."
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1. at 14:52 on Saturday 15th March 2008, Margie wrote:
... so where was Livingstone's support for keeping post offices open when the Assembly's Andrew Pelling produced a damning report on this? For the record, Post Offices are being closed as a direct result of government action. It was the government who insisted benefits and pensions should be paid directly into bank accounts, thus cutting a massive amount from Post Offices' income!