SAVE THE POST OFFICE NETWORK
The Liberal Democrats have agreed a £2 billion plan to safeguard the
future of the Post Office Network and the Universal Service Obligation at their spring
conference in Harrogate.
The debate comes just 2 weeks after the Royal Mail's Chief Executive warned that 10,000
branches could close over the next 4 years. The proposals were put forward to the Party
Conference by Liberal Democrat Shadow DTI Secretary, Norman Lamb MP, and were approved
overwhelmingly by delegates.
Mr Lamb said, "We are witnessing the collapse of the Post Office network and the
Liberal Democrats are the only party who are ofering practical solutions to reverse this
decline. This plan creates a £2 billion investment fund which revitalise the Post
Office network and imposes a statutory obligation on Government to maintain both the
network and the universal service obligation."
The plans will see: The establishment of an investment fund, likely to be up to £2
billion, from the proceeds of shares to modernise branches. This will provide
support for opening new Post Office branches where there are serious gaps in the existing
network, and start-up investment capital for sub-post offices wishing to diversify into
offering additional services to local communities; Post Office Ltd separated from Royal
Mail Group, with the retention of Post Office Ltd in the public sector, giving post
offices the opportunity to develop new business; the establishment of a shared ownership
model for Royal Mail with a 51% majority of shares divided equally between the Government
and a trust for Royal Mail staff. 24.5% of the shares would be sold directly to
staff and small investors, and 24.5% offered for general sale; a statutory guarantee to
protect the universal service obligation (USO); powers enabling Postcomm to place a levy
on other operators who do not undertake the USO to pay towards its cost.
CRAFT FAIR
In aid of Knapton Church at KNAPTON VILLAGE HALL on SATURDAY 27th and
SUNDAY 28th MAY 2006 from 10am to 4pm
FREE Admissions. Good Selection of Crafts for Sale. Ceramics, Watercolours,
Selection of Scarves, Jewellery, Children's books, Handmade chocolates, cakes, Handmade
cards, Patchwork, Hair-combs and lots more at affordable prices!!
REFRESHMENTS for sale on the day BROWSERS WELCOME!
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