BUS PASS BLOW TO LOCAL POST OFFICES

12.23.09pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 22nd Sep 2007

Jonathan Chatfield the Liberal Democrat challenger for the General Election in South East Cambridgeshire has attacked the Government's decision not to allow Post Offices to handle applications for the national concessionary bus pass scheme.

Jonathan Chatfield says: "This is another blow for the viability of our rural Post Offices, following the loss of TV licences."

"For many elderly people it will be a daunting and confusing process to apply to their district council by post. Added with the anxiety of not knowing if their pass will turn up before April next year when the new scheme starts."

"I am also angry that despite their pretence of supporting local Post Offices the Conservatives on Cambridgeshire Council County which is responsible for public transport have failed to fight this."