Chamber
Plenary, 21 Dec 2006
21 Dec 2006 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Post Offices
I will do my best to stay within that time.
I want to pick up on issues that I did not have time to talk about earlier. A big argument, on the wider impact of post offices on the economy even in the current political and economic circumstances, has been missed in the debate. Members have said that the last shop in the village will often go when the post office closes, but post offices bring wider economic benefits. Research by the New Economics Foundation shows that for every £10 a post office earns, it generates £16.20 for its local economy, including £6.20 in direct spending on local goods and services. That means that each post office will contribute around £310,000 to its local economy each year, of which £120,000 will be direct spending on local goods and services. Those figures are based on an in-depth analysis of urban post offices in Manchester. Figures for many areas of Scotland have not been quantified or examined.
The withdrawal of post office services has a massive impact. [Interruption.] The Executive should take into account that impact and be prepared to take action within its remit. Obviously, I would prefer the Executive to have full powers over such matters. It does not have such powers, but it could provide support and funding to help communities to establish community post offices. Such an approach would be possible, viable and realistic in the short term.
It is disgraceful that no Scottish minister is in the chamber, as my amendment and other amendments refer to the Scottish Executive. My amendment refers to something that the Scottish Executive could do using its current powers, but no minister is here to examine or to rubbish my arguments or suggestions or even to agree with me—it is Christmas, after all.
Communities in Scotland that are threatened with the closures and loss of services, which threaten the viability of those communities, should be really angry. When it comes to putting their cross on the ballot paper, I hope they will let the Executive parties know that.
In turning to the SNP contribution, I return to what I was saying at the outset. Although I agree with much of what John Swinney, Alasdair Morgan and other SNP members said, I disagree with them that the problem stems from the Government's incompetence, its inconsistent support for the post office network, or from a lack of joined-up government. The Government has been very competent in promoting a right-wing neo-liberal offensive on public services. It has achieved more for that right-wing ideology and for the interests of big business than Thatcher did. She started the neo-liberal offensive, but Labour has continued it. Labour has used the lessons that it learned from Thatcher's direct, confrontational and wolfish style—all we have had from it is a change into sheep's clothing. Labour has continued the same process and, indeed, it has accelerated it, which is why the Tories are in bother over the issue; they have no ground.
Will Labour members join us today? Will they at least support the 34 Labour MPs at Westminster who supported the return of TV licence payments to post offices?
I want to pick up on issues that I did not have time to talk about earlier. A big argument, on the wider impact of post offices on the economy even in the current political and economic circumstances, has been missed in the debate. Members have said that the last shop in the village will often go when the post office closes, but post offices bring wider economic benefits. Research by the New Economics Foundation shows that for every £10 a post office earns, it generates £16.20 for its local economy, including £6.20 in direct spending on local goods and services. That means that each post office will contribute around £310,000 to its local economy each year, of which £120,000 will be direct spending on local goods and services. Those figures are based on an in-depth analysis of urban post offices in Manchester. Figures for many areas of Scotland have not been quantified or examined.
The withdrawal of post office services has a massive impact. [Interruption.] The Executive should take into account that impact and be prepared to take action within its remit. Obviously, I would prefer the Executive to have full powers over such matters. It does not have such powers, but it could provide support and funding to help communities to establish community post offices. Such an approach would be possible, viable and realistic in the short term.
It is disgraceful that no Scottish minister is in the chamber, as my amendment and other amendments refer to the Scottish Executive. My amendment refers to something that the Scottish Executive could do using its current powers, but no minister is here to examine or to rubbish my arguments or suggestions or even to agree with me—it is Christmas, after all.
Communities in Scotland that are threatened with the closures and loss of services, which threaten the viability of those communities, should be really angry. When it comes to putting their cross on the ballot paper, I hope they will let the Executive parties know that.
In turning to the SNP contribution, I return to what I was saying at the outset. Although I agree with much of what John Swinney, Alasdair Morgan and other SNP members said, I disagree with them that the problem stems from the Government's incompetence, its inconsistent support for the post office network, or from a lack of joined-up government. The Government has been very competent in promoting a right-wing neo-liberal offensive on public services. It has achieved more for that right-wing ideology and for the interests of big business than Thatcher did. She started the neo-liberal offensive, but Labour has continued it. Labour has used the lessons that it learned from Thatcher's direct, confrontational and wolfish style—all we have had from it is a change into sheep's clothing. Labour has continued the same process and, indeed, it has accelerated it, which is why the Tories are in bother over the issue; they have no ground.
Will Labour members join us today? Will they at least support the 34 Labour MPs at Westminster who supported the return of TV licence payments to post offices?
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Murray Tosh):
Con
The next item of business is a debate on motion S2M-5349, in the name of John Swinney, on post offices.
Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP):
SNP
This debate is an opportunity for the Parliament to express its concern about the future of the post office network in Scotland and the sweeping changes that...
Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab):
Lab
I am pleased to speak in this debate. My constituency is both urban and rural, and constituents, particularly those belonging to the National Federation of S...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I welcome the debate. As we have heard, the future of the rural sub-post office network is a vital issue for much of Scotland. I appreciate that support for ...
Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Given what the member has just said, and given the impact of the issue on vulnerable communities, does the member not find it quite disgraceful that not a si...
Murdo Fraser:
Con
Christine Grahame makes a fair point. The motion and the Labour amendment refer to the Scottish Executive but no one is here to represent the Executive's vie...
Dr Jackson:
Lab
Will the member give way?
Murdo Fraser:
Con
I would like to make some progress, if I may. The Labour Government uses as its excuse for those closures the fact that post office revenue has declined. The...
Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab):
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Murdo Fraser:
Con
I am afraid that I am in my last minute, Mr McNeil. The Government introduced the Post Office card account then pledged to discontinue it but, in the teeth o...
Euan Robson (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (LD):
LD
The future of our post offices is an important, although reserved issue. Research by the Liberal Democrat party indicates that between 1999 and this year, ju...
Murdo Fraser:
Con
Is it still Liberal Democrat policy to privatise the Post Office?
Euan Robson:
LD
It is not and never has been Liberal Democrat policy to privatise the Post Office, and Mr Fraser is clearly mistaken in his view that it was.The UK Governmen...
Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP):
SSP
It is important to place the debate in context, including a political context. The Central Scotland region lost a total of 19 post offices in the most recent...
Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP):
SNP
I am delighted that the SNP has chosen to debate this vital issue, but I am extremely disappointed that ministers have chosen to be absent. That shows contem...
Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab):
Lab
Presiding Officer, if you will indulge me, I will welcome to the Parliament the pupils from Earnhill primary school in my constituency. I am sure that everyo...
Mr Swinney:
SNP
Look behind you!
Mr McNeil:
Lab
How would the story go if the fairy godmother across the Thames—possibly played by Ian Krankie, with Jimmy Krankie as Nicola—waved her magic wand and made Sc...
Mr Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green):
Green
I am grateful to the SNP for giving us another opportunity to discuss in the chamber the future of the post office network.The motion that we are debating re...
Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD):
LD
Post offices are the lifeblood of communities in both rural and urban areas, particularly when they are combined with other services, such as the local shop....
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
If the Liberal Democrats take the issue so seriously, why are their ministers absent from today's important debate?
Nora Radcliffe:
LD
That is not worth answering.The UK Government will not extend its card contract beyond 2010, claiming that it never intended to renew the POCA contract. That...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
You should finish now, Ms Radcliffe.
Nora Radcliffe:
LD
Post offices play a crucial role in the community, particularly in rural areas, and must be protected. Much could and should be done to maintain a unique net...
Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (Sol):
Sol
I welcome the debate, which provides an opportunity to discuss the future of the post office network.Over the past few months I have visited a number of sub-...
Alasdair Morgan (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
One of the roots of the problem is that there has been not a lack of Government support but a lack of consistent Government support for the post office netwo...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
We move to winding-up speeches. Carolyn Leckie has a tight four minutes.
Carolyn Leckie:
SSP
I will do my best to stay within that time.I want to pick up on issues that I did not have time to talk about earlier. A big argument, on the wider impact of...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
You should be finishing now, Ms Leckie.
Carolyn Leckie:
SSP
What is the position of Labour MSPs? None of them has commented on that. Will Labour members support the position of the 39 Labour MPs who opposed the franch...