GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED CORNWALL OVER POST OFFICES

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 21st Oct 2008

The Liberal Democrats in Cornwall are demanding to know why the Government closed 61 local Post Offices to save taxpayers' cash - just days after a multi-billion pound bail out for Britain's banks.

The first branches to close in Cornwall, as a result of the Post Office Network Change Programme, have shut this week. However, this comes just days after the Treasury announced a £500 billion rescue package for Britain's failed banking sector - 10,000 times larger than the estimated £50 million worth of savings from reducing the Post Office Network.

Commenting, Julia said:

"The government have supported our beleaguered banks to the tune of £500bn because of their importance to the wider economy.

"What a shame they do not understand the impact that Post Office closures will have on the local economy in our rural communities.

"These closures could not have come at a worse time, when so many local shops will be feeling the pinch."