MPs accuse Post Office of asset-stripping

Labour backbenchers warned hundreds of thousands of people could be left without easy access to postal services and highly trained staff could lose their jobs.

A total of 27 MPs, including former ministers Kate Hoey, Frank Field and Frank Dobson have put their names to a House of Commons motion calling on the government to intervene to stop the closures.

Royal Mail announced a £70 million shortfall last year and the MPs fear that it could sell off the branches to raise much needed funds.

As many as 270 high-street post offices could be shut down or offered to local consortia as part of reforms being considered by Royal Mail.

There are 560 crown post offices run directly by Royal Mail without postmasters.

They are commonly based in busy high streets and could command vast sums if sold off for commercial use.

And a decision on all 560 is expected before the end of the financial year.

The planned changes already face opposition from the communication workers union CWU, which has now been backed by the MPs.

Their motion states: "This house is alarmed by reports that the Post Office is planning to close or sell up to half of its high street crown post offices.

"The Post Office would appear to be asset-stripping in an attempt to raise profits," it added.