Liz Smith MSP has accused SNP MPs of scaremongering over the future of Crown Post Offices branches in Perth and Alloa. The move comes following the comments issues by Angus MP, Mike Weir, who stated that the Post Offices modernisation programme would be “another stage in the dismantling of the Post Office network”.
Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said: “I am very disappointed that SNP MPs have decided to scaremonger over the future of Post Office branches in Perth and Alloa. “Post Offices are at the heart of many of our communities, providing vital personal and business banking services. “It would seem that SNP MPs are more interested in generating negative publicity and talking the Post Office network down. “I have received an assurance today from Post Office Ltd that they are committed to maintaining the Post Office services on the high street both in Perth and Alloa. “Securing the future of local Post Offices without resorting to the failed closures programme which dominated Labour’s time in Government is important and I welcome the fact the UK Government has made this priority with no closures. “The last Labour Government closed over 7000 post offices while in power. Since the election of the UK Conservative Government action has been taken to protect our post office network and help them to diversify in order to grow their businesses. Conservatives are delivering a £1.34billion investment to provide a secure future for our Post Office Network. “I hope that Post Office Ltd will try to make the cross-over period between the closure and opening of new local Post Office’s at these locations as smooth as possible with limited disturbance to local residents and businesses banking with the Post Office. “The scaremongering which we have seen from SNP MPs is unacceptable and has caused undue concern for staff and customers.”