Mail strike could be devastating for local small businesses (Chris Nicholson)

Mail strike could be devastating for local small businesses

October 13, 2009 3:31 PM

Postbox Chris Nicholson, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Streatham, has expressed his alarm that the proposed national mail strike could drive local businesses to the wall.

"Talking to local businesses it is clear that the existing dispute is already causing substantial cash flow problems. A national mail strike could prove devastating. Businesses are already suffering due to the recession. At such times, cash flow is critical. If cheques aren't arriving by post this dispute risks driving some small firms to the wall."

Chris added: "I know from my own experience that even local post has been taking two weeks or more to arrive. Big businesses can make other arrangements to get mail delivered. It is much harder for small businesses to do so"

Chris in his professional capacity acted as a specialist adviser on the postal service to Parliamentary Select Committees and governments in the UK and abroad. He added that Royal Mail had suffered from complete indecision by Government over the past decade.

"It is a crying shame that such a great British institution is being brought to its knees by dithering about Royal Mail's future by the Labour Government. Even at this late stage I hope that government, management and unions can get round a table and sort out this damaging dispute".