Fight for Cornwall's post offices goes to the top

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A North Cornwall MP has taken the fight against rural post office changes and closures to the top.

Scott Mann is worried transferring branches into community shops is too difficult.

A number of communities in the Duchy face losing their branches but in places like Tintagel, Camelford, St Kew Highway and St Minver, services are being transferred between different business premises.

However, the MP says due to length and complex contract negotiations, people in the communities are raising concerns.

He asked Theresa May to look at ways to cut the red tape during Prime Minister's Questions.

He said: "We are facing significant challenges with our rural post office network at the moment, with the transition from community branches to community village stores and community buildings.

"Some of those moves have been smooth and some have not.

"Can I ask her to take a look at this to see whether there is anything more the Government could do to help my constituents?"

Responding to the concern, the PM said: "It is right that we should recognise the role that post offices play in rural communities, and not only in places such as Camelford and St Minver in his constituency but in the constituencies of other Honorary Members.

"We have invested more than £2 billion in the network up to 2018.

"The number of post offices is actually at its most stable for decades. But he is absolutely right.

"I urge the Post Office to help make it as easy as possible for shops that want to take over postal services to be able to do so."

It follows plans which were unveiled last year to franchise two of the Duchy's biggest post offices at Penzance and St Austell, which sparked anger among those living there.

They were both moved into their local WHSmith branches, despite petitions and calls for help from residents.

[Lounge Lizard]

Scott Mann is a Conservative MP, and on the vast majority of issues votes the same way as other Conservative MPs.
Scott Mann consistently voted against investigations into the Iraq war, while most Conservative MPs generally voted for.
Scott Mann has never rebelled against their party in the current parliament.