CWU has written to James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, warning him that unless the Post Office Card Account (POCA) contract is awarded to the Post Office a further 3,000 post offices could face closure.

The POCA generates approximately 6.5 million post office visits each week resulting in an additional £2 billion in annual footfall income. Four million people have POCAs. But despite this some 2,500 post offices are currently being closed under the Network Change programme.

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said:

“The POCA is vital for the future stability of the Post Office. If the government does not award the contract to the Post Office it could sound the death-knell for the country’s network of post offices.

Losing the POCA contract would undermine the sustainability of the post office network and would inevitably lead to the closure of around 3,000 post offices. The impact would be felt by the most vulnerable in society, those least able to travel to an alternative outlet due to poor transport availability, economic, geographic or mobility factors in addition to more job losses."

He added:

“It is our strong belief that all government departments should use the Post Office network to allow the public to access government services.  The Post Office’s unrivalled reach across the UK, together with the public’s trust in its integrity, means the availability of POCA services through the Post Office network is absolutely fundamental and necessary.

Highlighting the fact that there is an Early Day Motion on the issue, he said;

“Labour MPs are strongly behind the Post Office retaining POCA and over 150 have already signed EDM 1506. In contrast, only 24 Tory MPs have signed it which clearly exposes their flawed claims for a sustainable future for the network.

The CWU calls upon the Secretary of State to end the uncertainty that exists for all users of post office services."

Full details of EDM 1506 Post Office Card Account are available here

Urge your MP to sign the EDM. If you dont know the name of your MP, use this website to find out and contact them: Find your MP

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