Outreach post offices need full and proper funding

3.35.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 7th Aug 2008

Liz Leffman wants to see proper funding for post office outreach services

Prospective Lib Dem MP for Meon Valley Liz Leffman has backed her party's calls to pressure the Government into properly funding outreach post office services.

Lib Dem Shadow Business Secretary Sarah Teather recently commented that, while outreach services are a poor relation to proper post offices, they still cannot be seen as a 'cheap' alternative where the Government can avoid proper funding.

One post office in Liz's Meon Valley constituency, West Meon, has been downgraded to an outreach service and, while not ideal, Liz believes the outreach is better than no service at all - but it will need full and proper funding in order to work effectively.

Liz said: "I welcome Sarah Teather's comments and agree with them. It is a shame that the post office could not be retained in West Meon, but we are glad that West Meon has at least got an outreach service.

"However, what we do need to make sure of is that, now West Meon has been given a lifeline through the outreach service, it is fully funded and properly maintained in order to provide the necessary services."

Liz added: "I will be keeping an eye on things to make sure that the service is maintained, and that no other post offices in Meon Valley are threatened in the future."