I rise to present a petition from about 3,500 constituents who believe, as I do, that the Government should change their policy and support our important and worthy post offices. Post office closures hurt the whole community, but disproportionately hurt vulnerable people—the disabled, elderly people and people with families. I congratulate and thank the good and caring constituents who took the trouble to sign the petition, which states that people are

deeply concerned about the demise of post offices

and believe that the main problem is the withdrawal of Government business from post offices, which they see as

an example of uncaring Government policy.

The petition

further hopes that individuals can preserve the right to receive their pension, benefits or family allowance paid weekly at their local Post Office through the Post Office Card Account.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons call upon the Department for Work and Pensions to reconsider its decision not to renew the contract for post office Card accounts and to change its policy on the withdrawal of public business from post offices.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

To lie upon the Table.