McMillan Welcomes Funding Boost for Local Post Offices

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Thursday) welcomed an announcement by the SNP Scottish Government that £1 million will be made available to help Scotland's local post offices survive the recession and expand their businesses. The funding was secured in a vote in the Scottish Parliament on the SNP Government's budget - which the Labour party opposed.

Describing the funding as a boost for local services in hard economic times Mr McMillan said;

"This announcement shows that the Scottish Government is focussed on protecting important frontline public services in these troubled economic times – even those controlled and often threatened by Westminster.

"£1 million is a substantial amount to help local post offices survive and offer non-post office activities in Scotland. Yet it is something Labour's MSPs voted against in the Scottish Parliament vote.

"It is a significant investment from the SNP Scottish Government at a time of difficult decisions being made by this Government and Parliament.

"While Labour have spent the last few years, at UK Government level, closing post offices the Scottish Government is working hard to keep them open and keep them profitable.

"Post offices play an important role in the life of some communities. As well as postal services, they can provide access to money and banking facilities, support for local shops, and a hub for the community.

"This is reflected in the high value that the Scottish Government and local people attach to their post office.

"The provided by POs to the whole community must be recognised in taking decisions and that is what the SNP Government is delivering with this £1 million fund."