Privitisation could spell end for Stirling charity

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Royal Mail privitisation could spell end for Stirling charity

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There were fears this week that the future of a Stirling ‘talking newspaper’ could be under threat if the Royal Mail is privatised.

For over 30 years, Rocktalk has provided free of charge edited highlights of the Stirling Observer to blind or visually impaired listeners in the Stirling area.

Every week, Rocktalk listeners have an 80-minute CD or cassette delivered to their homes which enables them to keep up with the news, thanks to the city’s favourite newspaper.

However, chairman of the charity, Ella Kennedy, who last year received an MBE for her work with Rocktalk , said that the privitisation of the postal service could plunge the future of it and other talking newspapers into doubt, as they currently receive free postage and exclusions from VAT.

She said: “The talking newspapers service, at a local level, has always been a completely free charitable service for the visually impaired and the blind.

“If there was any postal charge introduced then it becomes very difficult. Many charities would not be able to meet the cost.

“I know Rocktalk couldn’t because we receive no grants, all our money comes from charitable donations which we have to use to buy the CDs, the wallets and our equipment.”

The Government has said the nationalised postal service needs the ‘commercial freedom’ of the private sector to be able to ‘thrive’ and is exploring whether or not to sell off the Royal Mail. Unions have hit out at the plans, with protests being planned across the country, and said privitisation would lead to the deterioration of the service.

Stirling MP Anne McGuire has pledged to argue Rocktalk’s case to the UK government. She said Rocktalk’s volunteers not only provided news but also a much need link with the people they served.

“Ella is concerned that should privatisation of the Royal Mail take place, the free delivery of their talking newspaper would be put in jeopardy, potentially depriving their listeners of their ‘window on the world’ of Stirling, leaving users isolated from local news and social events,” added the MP

“I believe that Royal Mail should remain in public ownership; it helps safeguard the vital link that the Royal Mail has with the Post Office,” she said. “If the Government insists in going ahead with this privatisation, then it must ensure that the new arrangements must maintain those exemptions that allow groups like Rocktalk to provide a much needed service which is valued by many in the community.”

However, a spokesman for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills sought to dispell fears about Rocktalk’s future. A spokesman said providing free postage to talking newspapers was a universal service obligation protected by legislation, and should not be affected if the ownership of the Royal Mail changes hands.

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Royal Mail allays Stirling charity's fears

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A Stirling charity has expressed its relief after being informed that it will not be in danger if the Royal Mail is privatised.

Rocktalk, a charity which provides a ‘talking newspaper’ of local news from the Stirling Observer via CD to blind and visually impaired people, had expressed its fears over the potential sale of the postal service.

The charity said it would be under threat if it lost its free postage and VAT exemptions if the Royal Mail changes hands.

However, Royal Mail external relations director for Scotland, Julie Pirone, contacted the Observer to allay Rocktalk’s fears.

She said: “I want to make it clear that the Articles for the Blind scheme will not be affected by any sale of Royal Mail.

“Royal Mail is very proud to provide the Articles for the Blind scheme, which cost a total of £6.2m to provide in 2011/12. The service, which provides free postage for blind or partially sighted people, is protected by law. For the first time, it is legally protected as a minimum requirement of the Universal Postal Service, in Section 31 of the Postal Services Act 2011.

“A change to the Articles for the Blind scheme can only happen if directed by the Secretary of State and voted for by both Houses of Parliament. We work closely with the RNIB to ensure the scheme meets the needs of blind and partially sighted customers.”
Ella Kennedy MBE, chairwoman of Rocktalk, said she was pleased to hear that the service will be protected by law.

“It is a relief and it will be to all talking newspapers,” she said. “I am very relieved to hear that and I am sure our listeners will be to.”