Bishop criticises post office axe

The programme of local post office closures has been criticised by the Bishop of Lincoln.

Post Office Ltd has said 42 branches across Lincolnshire will close, including 26 being replaced with mobile services or outlets in shops.

But the Right Reverend Dr John Saxbee said the social importance of many post offices meant that they should not be treated as just another business.

Post Office Ltd said it had considered each closure carefully.

'Difficult decisions'

The bishop said any financial losses were outweighed by the community worth of many branches.

"If we do see them as places that provide a service to the community, then a subsidy is entirely appropriate."

He added: "I hear talk of two or four million being lost every week, but in the context of the overall social services budget, that is not a lot.

"And the return we get in terms of providing a facility for social cohesion, I think that is well worth these sorts of sums."

In a statement Post Office Ltd said: "These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly.

"We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation and made amendments to the original proposals."