09/10/2013

Alliance Against Royal Mail Privatisation

Alliance East Belfast MLA Chris Lyttle, who is chair of the Assembly Group on Postal Issues, has stated the Alliance Party's concerns over the Westminster Government's plans to privatise the Royal Mail.

His comments were made during an Assembly debate on the issue.

Chris Lyttle MLA said: "Alliance remains unconvinced that privatisation of Royal Mail is best for the cost and availability of the postal service. We also have concerns about the consequences privatisation could have on the Post Office network which, whilst now a separate business, still relies heavily on mail services.

"My colleague, Naomi Long MP, has opposed this legislation at every stage in Westminster. She has also continued to raise this matter with Government Ministers, stressing concerns about the possible impact on postal services that privatisation may bring and the knock-on effect to both older people and small businesses who rely on postal services within the region.

"There appears to be a consensus among Northern Ireland parties that privatisation should not be delivered whilst these concerns exist."

(CD/IT)

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