Just about everyone backs post office changes....except Ed

The last Labour government, to put it kindly, did not have the greatest record on post offices with over 7000 of them (38%) closing on their watch. Anyhoo the press association reports.

"The Government has secured the future of the Post Office under a 10-year deal giving certainty to postmasters, ministers have announced."

Announcing the deal. Lib Dem post office Minister said

"Concerns people had about the Post Office becoming independent from Royal Mail were always misplaced as that separation is part of our cure, but the 10-year deal struck between Royal Mail and the Post Office will give sub-postmasters and others greater confidence. Coupled with winning new contracts and the successful pilots of new operating models, the signs are extremely encouraging for the future of the Post Office."

Moya Greene, Royal Mail Group's chief executive is happy.....

"I am delighted with this agreement. It provides a firm foundation for the Post Office's long-term, sustainable future and ensures Royal Mail's customers continue to get access to postal services in Post Office branches nationwide, the UK's biggest retail network."

Paula Vennells, managing director of Post Office Ltd is happy.....

"This is a good agreement for the Post Office, for the millions of customers a day who visit our branches and for our sub-postmasters. We are the number one mails retailer in the UK and postal business accounts for a third of our income. A long-term relationship with Royal Mail ensures we continue to provide the unrivalled access and great customer service in mails and parcels services, which individuals and business customers want from the Post Office."

And the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) general secretary George Thomson is happy....

"Sub-postmasters will welcome the security which this news brings, which will help provide them with the confidence necessary to invest in their businesses for the future.

"The NFSP has been calling for a minimum 10-year inter-business agreement since plans for Royal Mail privatisation and the separation of the two companies were announced, and we have worked tirelessly to achieve it. Without this deal, sub-postmasters would have faced even greater difficulties in running their businesses and continuing to provide vital services to their communities."

Ed Balls will not be happy. He told the Unions last year that he will....

"fight against the Con-Dem plans, which endanger this vital and popular public service."

After being part of a government that closed almost 40% of the network you've got to admit making that statement takes some brass neck.