Carmichael secures debate on local Post Office pay
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has secured a parliamentary debate on remuneration to sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses, due to be held on Tuesday 23rd May at 4pm. Remuneration contracts for local Post Office branches have been a growing issue in the isles and elsewhere, with concerns that services may be gradually reduced due to a lack of viability for those running the sub-branches or an inability to secure replacement. Mr Carmichael committed to securing parliamentary time on the issue in March and had the upcoming debate confirmed this week.
Mr Carmichael said:
“Local branch post offices site at the heart of our communities in the isles but it is more and more difficult for sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses to keep these services going. The number of people visiting post offices may be smaller than in the past but they remain essential services for those who use them – the government cannot allow the network to wither away through inaction.
“Ministers like to pretend that this is simply an operational matter for the Post Office but this is a publicly owned company – ultimately the government holds the pen and the purse strings. When other avenues to get a fair deal for local post offices are not working the government has got to step up.
“I said in March that I would be pressing for parliamentary time on this issue and now we have secured a debate and a chance to air the issues fully. I will be reaching out to local sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses to discuss their concerns – anyone with an interest is welcome to get in touch.”