Postal Services Bill

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/ ... 417117.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Watch live coverage of the debate on 8 March 2011 from 3.15pm.

The Postal Services Bill is due to be debated in a committee of the whole House.

The bill allows for the privatisation of Royal Mail, with the exception of Post Offices Ltd which is to remain in public ownership.

It transfers Royal Mail's pension liabilities to the government and gives responsibility for the regulation of the postal services sector to Ofcom.

The government has announced an additional £1.3bn of funding for the Post Office over four years, to reform the network and secure its long term future.

The government argues that Royal Mail needs private investment but postal workers' union CWU opposes the move, claiming it will damage services and lead to post office closures.

Labour voted against the bill in the Commons.