GOVERNMENT proposals on Post Office card accounts have led to Royston s MP Oliver Heald receiving a deluge of letters from worried residents. The MP for North East Herts said his constituents are concerned that the facility to access benefits at post of

GOVERNMENT proposals on Post Office card accounts have led to Royston's MP Oliver Heald receiving a deluge of letters from worried residents.

The MP for North East Herts said his constituents are "concerned" that the facility to access benefits at post offices will be lost when the Government chooses a successor to the Post Office card account.

Mr Heald said: "Conservatives repeatedly called on the Government to review the decision to abolish Post Office card accounts, which is vital for people who do not have bank accounts.

"Under sustained pressure, the Government decided it would continue with a new account after 2010."

However, he is worried that the changes may lead to post office closures.

"I am also aware that the contract for the new account may not necessarily go to the Post Office, creating further uncertainty for many sub-postmasters.

"I believe that, instead of managing decline, the Government should be trying to bring new business opportunities to the network," he said.