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YouGov poll results revealed by the Post Bank Coalition today (Monday) show that over three quarters of people (76%) in south west England believe there is a need for a publicly run bank with just under two thirds (63%) saying they would be likely to use such a bank at the Post Office. The poll, released the week before the government consultation into post office banking closes, is the latest evidence that there is growing demand for a new model of banking based on the trusted post office network. Given the strong results, the Post Bank Coalition is calling on government to use the consultation as an opportunity to establish a publicly owned Post Bank in the Post Office. Growing consensus among politicians and the public make this an easily achievable ‘must’ for government. The key findings of the poll are: • 76% of people in south west England agree that there is a need for a new model of bank run in the public interest and not solely for profit (only 5% disagree)
• 81% agree that all of the profits from post office banking should stay within the business and be used to sustain the network (only 5% disagree)
• 63% said they would be likely to use a publicly owned Post Bank run in the public interest (only 21% said they were unlikely to do so)
• Only 17% agree with the statement that high street banks currently meet the needs of local businesses and communities Quotes: Billy Hayes, Communication Workers Union general secretary, said: “This poll sends a clear and strong message to politicians: Britain wants a bank it can trust. Post Bank would serve real people, not just shareholders. The government has a golden opportunity to make this a reality with the current consultation. It would be a win for the Post Office, a win for communities and businesses, and from these poll results it would be a vote winner too.”
Simon Hart, Chief Executive, Countryside Alliance, said: “Post Offices in rural areas form the hearts of their communities and provide a lifeline to the many young mums, pensioners and rural businesses they serve. The Government now has a chance to recognise the role of the Post Office as the social and economic centres of rural Britain by supporting the Post Bank proposal, which the Countryside Alliance is backing. These poll results highlight the wider public’s awareness that the current system is not working, and Government should heed this and adopt this common sense solution. Let’s take this chance to create a network where our Post Offices provide banking services that not only support the network, but also ensure its future.” Ken Moon, Chairman of the Wessex Region of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “This survey clearly shows that high street banks are failing to provide the services small businesses need. The difficulties small businesses have been facing, particularly the problem of poor access to finance, are not going away. There is also a clear need for more options for taking out loans or extending overdrafts. Post Offices are at the heart of many communities and are already essential to many small businesses. This is a sustainable solution and it is time for the Government to listen to what businesses and communities want and make the Post Bank happen Dot Gibson, General Secretary, National Pensioners Convention, said: "Pensioners are great supporters of the Post Office as it offers them a lifeline to the wider community. They want to see it flourish in the future and a publicly owned people's bank at the Post Office would be good news for all ages. It's time the political parties listened to public opinion before it's too late."
Lindsay Mackie, campaign co-ordinator at nef (the new economics foundation) said: “The message from these polls is so clear that it would be remarkably perverse of any government not to listen to it. The Post Bank Coalition calls for a Post Bank, for a strengthened post office network and for all parties to commit to supporting this unique, public and trusted institution that serves all communities, rural and urban.”
Paul Reuter, Unite national officer, said:
“If ever there was an argument to give the public, small businesses and communities what they need, these results demonstrate it. The post office network is best placed to deliver these services and this should be through a Post Bank.
“Government is currently denying itself the opportunity to resolve the banking needs of most of the country and must take action to remedy this omission when it considers the responses to the current consultation, and establishes its conclusion, on Banking and financial services at the Post Office.” For more information, please contact:
• Prue Watson, Federation of Small Businesses: t: 020 7592 8121 m: 07825 125 695 e:
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ALSO:
• Sian Jones, Communication Workers Union press officer: t: 020 8971 7267 m: 07793 314 249 e:
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• Sarah-Lee, Countryside Alliance, t: 020 7840 9200 e:
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• Ruth Potts, nef Communications Manager: t: 020 7820 6357 m: 07749 026 203 e:
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or Lindsay Mackie m: 07968821390
• Neil Duncan-Jordan, National Pensioners Convention press officer: m: 07940 357608 e:
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• Ciaran Naidoo, Unite press officer: m: 07768 931 315 e:
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