MP says 'post offices will close'

Campaigners have fought to save rural post offices

A row has broken out over comments by a South West MP who said people have to accept post offices should close because they are not being used enough.

About 2,500 post office branches are to shut nationwide after the government announced it was cutting the level of public subsidy.

Totnes MP Anthony Steen (Cons) said people did not want the services.

Post office staff and users have called for consultations and reviews on the closures, mainly in rural communities.

The government announced in December that the 2,500 post offices were expected to close by 2009 because of rising losses and fewer people using the network.

Mr Steen said it was a signal that people did not want post offices as much.

He said: "What is the function of the Post Office? The function is to provide a service for the public that they want.

"If they don't want it, why are we funding something that people don't want?"

'Missed the point'

But his views have angered staff and users, who say that the closure will hit the most vulnerable and isolated.

Ian Park, who runs Maldron Hill Post Office in Paignton, said he thought Mr Steen was "missing the point to a certain extent".

He said: "Yes, some people's shopping habits have changed. But there is still a need for the Post Office.

"The elderly, and disadvantaged customers, have not always got access to bank accounts, computers and the internet. They do need to have this service."

The government said it wants to help the Post Office modernise, restore profitability in its main offices, invest in new products and look at innovative ways to deliver services.