Member of Parliament for North Ayrshire and Arran Katy Clark today welcomed the announcement by the Government to award the contract for the continuation of the Post Office Card Account to Post Office Limited. The existing Post Office Card Account, which distribute benefits to 4.3 million claimants including 2 million pensioners, was due to run out in 2010 but today’s announcement from Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell ensures that the Post Office will now run the scheme until at least 2015.

Speaking on the subject Ms. Clark said “I am pleased to hear that the Government have decided to award the Post Office Card Account contract to the Post Office. This decision will be of huge benefit to the 9,760 Post Office Account holders in North Ayrshire and Arran who will continue to be able to access their benefits and pensions at locations convenient to them. Today’s announcement will also provide a boost to the community as a whole as it is estimated that this decision will help the future of Post Offices throughout the country.”

The local MP went on to say “I am delighted the Government have listened to the many hundreds of people locally who wrote to me on this subject in making the decision that they have.”