Lease of life for Post Offices

MP for South Derbyshire Mark Todd has applauded a decision taken by the Government to award a benefits payment contract to the Post Office.

James Purnell, Work and Pensions Secretary, announced that ministers are going to abandon plans to launch a competitive tender for the Post Office Card Account.

The Post Office is now set to continue to run the system until at least the year 2015.

Mr Todd said "The visits from people collecting pensions and benefits are vital to the viability of most sub-post offices in our area."