Over the past two months, over 200 constituents have contacted me with concerns that the Post Office was under threat due to changes in how the Post Office Card Account would operate. I was therefore delighted this week when the Department for Work and Pensions announced that the new Post Office Card Account would stay with the Post Office, protecting vital income for the Post Office and helping to secure the future of this important community asset.

The Post Office Card Account is a very straightforward account specifically designed to pay benefits administered by the government. Only benefits and pensions can be paid in and they are collected across a post office counter using a plastic card and PIN.

4,670 people in Harlow rely on Post Offices to access their entitlements.

I therefore lobbied the Government on this – my view is that Post Offices play a vital role in our community and the card account provides a very necessary income to the Post Office. There was a collective concern that, without the account, many post offices would have to close down.

I understand how concerned people must be about their personal finances currently, therefore I am really pleased that this move will see the Post Offices continue to run this service. It is vital that as many people as possible continue to be able to use this trusted and reliable organisation during these difficult economic times. The Post Office has an excellent track record of moving large amounts of money around the UK and ensuring the money is there when customers need it. This vote of confidence in the post office is very welcome and I will continue to do all I can to lobby on behalf of Harlow post offices.