Moray MP Douglas Ross met with local sub postmaster Paul McBain and Calum Greenhow, CEO of the National Federation of Sub postmasters in Parliament to discuss the extra pressures on the Post Office network. They also discussed the effect of banking closures on local communities, with post offices expected to breach the gap.
Commenting, Douglas said: “It was interesting to meet with Paul and Calum and hear about their concerns with regards to the fact that the largely privately-owned network of post offices is expecting to become busier as a source of cash and services for local communities.
“Paul runs two post offices in Moray and I’m aware of how important these are to the local communities. I know that social inclusion is important to the post office, but I understand their concerns that Government must recognise that they cannot pick up the slack of all the work without some kind of recompense, which will enable them to offer the best possible service to their communities.”
Paul McBain said that post offices are the cornerstone of their towns and more so now a number of banks have closed, yet adequate financial recompense to enable them to operate their branches effectively by offering the best possible service has not been forthcoming.
Commenting Paul said: “Meeting with Douglas was very worthwhile, and he listened to my concerns, hopefully other MPs and MSPs will do the same so they can understand where we sub-postmasters are coming from.
“Running a post office is a responsibility and although we are paid for it, in terms of social inclusion there is a lot of other work that we do, that adds a burden in terms of time. Post masters are self-employed, but many have to employ staff and incur costs and overheads like any other business.”
Douglas added: “Ensuring banking services continue to be provided on our high streets is vital for the survival of our communities, not just for businesses, but for local residents as well and post offices have a role to play in this.”