THOSE who have followed and participated in the debate through the columns of the 'Post' heaved a huge sign of relief that the Government have decided to leave the Post Office Card Account with the Post Office.

This should be a foundation stone to provide a viable economic base, to maintain the existing network.

However, if I may respectfully refer to a point I raised in earlier correspondence, the urgent need for the Post Office to offer a full range of financial services based on the concept of a 'People's Bank'.

The Post Office is trusted across the community and, as a safe national bank, will underpin local economies, promote financial inclusion and play a vital role in connecting the banking system with the productive economy.

The Post Office has a key role to play in the life of our community. We live in times of great economic uncertainty, which is why the recent closure of local post offices has verged on political madness.

If people and small businesses are to weather difficult times ahead, post offices have a key role to play in ensuring our resilience to this and other potential shocks.