Post offices face axe in Royal Mail shake-up

A fifth of Britain’s post offices could be shut under government-backed plans to be outlined by ministers next week. Alistair Darling, trade and industry secretary, is preparing to sanction proposals to shut between 2,500 and 3,000 urban and rural post offices in a bid to stem mounting losses. The decision could provoke a backlash from Labour MPs and rural communities which have campaigned fiercely to protect post offices from closure. References: Financial Times 09/12/06 page 1, Daily Telegraph 09/12/06 page 1, The Times Business 09/12/06 page 1, The Guardian 09/12/06 page 4, The Independent 09/12/06 page