Protest over Royal Mail sell-off

Postal workers are marching to keep Royal Mail in the public sector

Postal workers from across the country have gathered in Wolverhampton to protest against government plans to sell off parts of the Royal Mail.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) staged the demonstration in the Black Country constituency of Pat McFadden, minister for postal services.

The government claims Royal Mail has a pension fund deficit of about £8bn.

Gordon Brown told the House of Commons additional investors were needed to secure the postal service's future.

'Damaging privatisation'

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said on Saturday: "This march is an important demonstration of our determination to keep Royal Mail in the public sector.

"The government must listen to the concerns of the public, the Labour Party and those who work in the postal sector. There is no need for damaging privatisation to modernise Royal Mail."

Geraldine Smith, whose Commons motion opposing the plans has the support of more than 140 Labour MPs, including several ministerial aides, raised the issue in Prime Minister's Questions.

She said: "The case for the partial sale of Royal Mail is crumbling and opposition is growing, across the country and in this House.

'Universal service'

"Isn't it about time the Government dropped this unwanted and unnecessary measure from its postal services reforms?"

But Mr Brown said: "The Royal Mail has a pension fund deficit which is going to approach £8bn.

"The Royal Mail also has investment needs it needs to meet for the future. The Royal Mail wants to continue, as we want to continue, the universal service obligation."

He said additional investors would help the government meet its commitments to pensioners, guarantee a universal service and the Post Office network, and support workers.