Fears for local post offices

The future of the postal service is debated in Westminster where MPs are fighting against privatisation.

“As our MP Margaret Ritchie said in her speech during the debate, the mail and postal service plays a key role in rural life and is at the centre of much that is good in our local communities,” said Mr Heading.

“There is no evidence 
that the privatisation of 
any service has benefited consumers or clients. 
SDLP MPs have received only lukewarm reassurances that the universal service 
obligation will be retained yet logically if a private company is not making a profit they have to make cuts and my fear is that our local services could be affected. A reduced and more expensive postal service in rural areas is a real risk.

“It is completely unacceptable that rural customers should be made to pay more for their services and our MPs in Westminster are seeking assurances that this will not occur.

“There is real potential for the development and modernisation of the rural postal service that puts it back at the heart of the local community which in turn helps to drive the local economy. This is what we need, not the further downgrading of local services.

“I will be in continuing contact with MP Margaret Ritchie on this issue where she with our other MPs are continuing to fight for our rural postal service at Westminster.”

Cllr Heading will bring a motion to Lisburn City Council calling for the end of privatisation plans.

Cllr Heading is a committee member of the Queens University Branch of UNITE the Union.