Swinson dismay at Government failure to back Royal Mail

5.13.00pm GMT Tue 9th Jan 2007

UK Post will handle 82 million mailings from two Department for Work and Pensions centres under the new contract

Jo Swinson has expressed her dismay at the decision by the Department for Work and Pensions to axe their £12million postage contract with Royal Mail.

UK Mail postal company, part of Business Post Group, has won the contract to handle mailings from two DWP centres in the north of England, including pension and benefits statements and winter fuel payment notifications.

Jo commented:

"The Government's record on Royal Mail goes from bad to worse. Instead of backing Royal Mail and the Post Office through a difficult period, the Government is withdrawing yet more business, just as they did with TV licences, driving licences and Card Accounts.

"Ministers insist they want to protect the Post Office network and maintain a universal postal service, but each decision they take to remove business undermines the future of the network.

"The DWP is the first Government department to abandon the Royal Mail for its mailings. Now the fear is that the path has been opened for others to follow."

Related Links:

Lib Dems - save our Post Offices!

Royal Mail