Post offices protected

NORTHERN isles MP Alistair Carmichael has applauded his own government’s policy to protect post offices in rural areas after the European Commission approved a £1.34 billion state investment in the network.

Mr Carmichael says the government is committed to maintaining a minimum of 11,500 post offices around the country, and ending the Labour government’s programme of closures.

He said: “Liberal Democrats in government are committed to securing the long term future of our local post offices and ensuring that key services are maintained.

“As with all lifeline services, financial considerations are only half the argument and it is vital that the wider impacts of changes to existing facilities are considered closely.

“The new investment that has now been approved at the EU Commission will help secure the future of the network in areas that Labour considered marginal or uneconomic.