Post office drain game
SINCE 1969, when the Government made the Post Office into a corporation, its activities have slowly been eroded turning the organisation into a loss maker.
The Government eventually insisted that all pensions be deposited into a bank account when the Post Office had its own bank. Pensioners could withdraw their money from their local post office if they had opened an account there but they could also use any of the banking organisations.
Post offices around the country continued to be an important centre for local activities but slowly their reasons for existence were eroded by governments. Stamps, for example, could be bought almost anywhere.
We accepted these changes. Some were more convenient for us. Then, as trade diminished, along came the closures. As more closures occurred, more bank accounts had to be opened in the towns and cities.
The big organisations, such as supermarkets, benefitted as did delivery companies. The banks benefitted as accounts from the Post Office bank were transferred to them.
Then suddenly your local post office is selected for closure. Suddenly you realise how important a role it played in the community. It was not just a centre of commerce: you met people there; people communicated with each other. It was not just a simple shop.
The closure is caused by a long sequence of Government decisions to relieve the Post Office of any profitable activities. Why is the Government not supporting post offices?
Then along came the credit crunch and the banks are in deep trouble of their own making. So the government pours billions of our pounds into saving them.
We have to walk further to get Post Office services. We will have fewer services as more are given to other organisations. We, the public, lose out but the 'big boys' at the banks are bailed out. It doesn't seem fair. Does it?
Andrew Birkby
Vulnerable people to pay the price
A GOVERNMENT that will pay billions to bail out banks, who proclaims to help the elderly and vulnerable to live in their own homes and then remove their independence and amenities such as Barnburgh and Clayton Post Offices! For more of the same vote New Labour.
Coun Cynthia Ransome, Sprobrough Ward, Doncaster
Go for the Green new deal
THE Government has attempted to bail out our flawed financial system. It would have been better if the 500 billion of tax payers money had been spent on creating real wealth for all. Jobs in council housing, sustainable transport, insulation, renewable energy, recycling, repair and growing local food, for example. What about using the skills we have in South Yorkshire to help see us through the recession.
We should be investing in these ‘green collar’ jobs while using cast iron government bonds as a secure home for pension funds and personal savings. We could end the financial panic, generate jobs, revitalise money flows, loosen ties to unreliable oil markets and cut carbon emissions. This is the Green New Deal, proposed in July by a team of respected environmentalists, business people and economists. It is inspired by President Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s. It can help to solve not just the financial crisis, but our resource and environmental problems too.
Green councillor Bernard Little
Photos plea
DO any readers have a postcard or photo of The Summer House in Greaves Park? A friend, who now lives in Banbury, wants a reminder of her good times in Sheffield and she has been unable to find any postcards of this building. If you can help please contact me
MARGARETHOLLAND9@aol.com
Margaret Holland
Housing help
WE ARE a supported housing service offering accommodation and tenancy support to vulnerable adults aged between 16 and 65. We aim to set up clients with a starter pack ready for when they move to a new property.
We are planning a Christmas party for our current clients which will include a raffle. Any donations would be greatly appreciated and we would be happy to collect items.
Stonham Housing, 140-142 Burngreave Rd, Sheffield S3 9DH
READ MORE
Main news index
Your letters.
Features
Check out the very latest on South Yorkshire's roads - including live traffic cameras on Sheffield's commuter routes - with our Traffic section
Latest sport.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
