ESSENTIAL THAT POST OFFICE WINS CARD ACCOUNT CONTRACT - ALEXANDER

2.28.15pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th May 2007

Commenting on the Department for Work and Pensions announcement that the contract for the Post Office Card Account has been put out to tender because of EU competition rules, Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions Spokesperson, Danny Alexander MP said: "The continuation of the Post Office Card Account is welcome, but it should never have been threatened by ministers in the first place.

"The way this tender has been drawn up means there is no certainty that this new contract will actually be won by the Post Office. If the contract is awarded to another organisation, it will have a hugely damaging impact on what is left of the Post Office network.

"People want to be able to collect their benefits and pensions at their local post office. There will be a huge amount of public anger if ministers allow this vital service to go elsewhere."