[Scottish Parliament, 13.11.2024] Responding to the announcement that 115 Post Office branches across the UK are at risk of closure, including the Kirkwall office and 7 others in Scotland, Highlands and Islands MSP and Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Islands, Jamie Halcro Johnston said:
"Our local Post Offices are a vital part of the high streets of many of our rural and island communities, providing essential services to local businesses and to many of our older and more vulnerable residents.
"Yet again, we risk seeing these services lost by those who fail to understand – or care little - of the real impact the loss of these branches could have on the communities they serve.
"This will be a worrying announcement for many, but especially for those who work in the branches at risk and who, from my own experiences, have only ever worked hard to provide the best service possible for Post Office customers.
"Rural and island communities have seen too many services lost because of the perceived efficiency benefits of centralisation, and this is just the latest example of what has become an increasingly damaging trend.
"I urge the Post Office and the Labour UK Government to find an alternative approach to closures; one that protects local services and local jobs in our rural and island communities".
ENDS
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