David Ruffley MP, the Shadow Minister for Welfare Reform, has today challenged Royal Mail to explain the unparalleled level of Post Office closures both nationally and in Suffolk.

The latest House of Commons figures reveal that in 2004/05 the number of Post Offices nationally fell by 8.5 percent on the previous year. This represents a loss of 1,352 sites and is the largest fall since 1981/82.

In the Bury St Edmunds constituency, which includes Stowmarket and Needham Market, the number of Post Offices has fallen from 45 in 1999 to 37 in 2005. Across Suffolk as a whole 63 Post Offices have been closed in six years.

Neighbouring constituencies such as Ipswich, where the total number of Post Offices has fallen from 23 to 17 since 1999, and Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, which has seen the loss of 22 Post Offices in six years, have been similarly affected.

David said:

'Post offices are at the heart of every local community, in both urban and rural life, and they need to be accessible to everyone.

'These shocking new House of Commons figures reveal that in the last year for which we have records there was the largest ever drop in the number of Post Offices. In Suffolk we have lost 63 Post Offices in the last six years. This simply isn't good enough.

'Therefore, I have today written to the Chairman of Royal Mail, Allan Leighton, demanding an explanation for these closures and asking for his assurance that no more will follow.

'The people of Suffolk deserve an answer on this issue and I will be doing my utmost to safeguard the future of our County's vital Post Office network.'