Postal protest over privatisation

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Hundreds of postal workers are due to stage a fresh protest in London against the Government's controversial plans to privatise the Royal Mail, warning that post offices will be at risk of closure.

A rally will be held in Kingston upon Thames, where the local Liberal Democrat MP Ed Davey is Postal Affairs Minister, who has been promoting the privatisation Bill in its current passage through Parliament.

Billy Hayes, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said: "Privatising the Royal Mail will be disastrous for people who rely on post offices and the mail service. We're taking the message direct to Ed Davey's doorstep so that he hears loud and clear the concern and opposition to his actions.

"The Government says privatisation is necessary to safeguard the Royal Mail, but that is blatant spin. If Ed Davey and others were genuinely interested in postal economics, sustainable mail services and value for the taxpayer they would look at regulatory changes before flogging a national asset to profit-hunters."

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "Royal Mail warmly supports the Postal Services Bill. It is vital for the future of the company. The Bill aims to resolve Royal Mail's historic £10.3 billion actuarial pension fund deficit, which is a major cash drain on our limited resources.

"It will also allow Royal Mail access to much-needed private investment. We strongly support the passage of the Bill."

A Department for Business spokesman said: "The Government's plans will protect the long-term future of Royal Mail and the Post Office and the postal services that people across the country rely on.

"They will ensure our postal workers have a stable company to work for, secure pensions and can benefit from the largest employee share scheme of any major privatisation. Our approach is based on the hard facts - the situation is too serious to walk away from."