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From: Neil Hayward.
Sent: Sun 10/05/2015 9:
To: Mark R Daviesf.
Ce: Paula Vennellsf.
GranvilleI
Subject: Re: Media coverage for The Post Office: The Post Office, 10052015 (05:46)
Thanks Mark. I accept your advice. And will assume positive intent from George. If I learn anything tonight I'll
let you know.
Regards
Neil
Sent from my iPad
On 10 May 2015, at 09:32, "Mark R Davies" wrote:
All
Just to echo my email just sent, I don't think the Fed have spoken to them. He has been directed
to the Fed's annual report. There are no quotes from George or anyone and if anything the piece is
pretty balanced.
Our media relationships with George and team are very good at present - he has been tipping us
off, privately, about people sniffing around Horizon and I genuinely don't see this as coming from
him. I think it is an indirect result of the Horizon issue and is briefed by CWU postmasters.
So my view is that we should not assume that George is behind this.
Mark
Mark Davies
ications and Corporate Affairs Director
On 10 May 2015, at 09:27, Neil Hayward <=
Thanks Paula.
I'm with George tonight and I've read the article. I don't see any reason why it has
appeared or why they needed to say anything in public right now.
I don't think it's helpful at all and unless Mark or Nick you would advise differently I
shall be saying so at dinner this evening. At the very least at a sensitive time
politically I would have expected some advance warning that NFSP intended to make
a comment.
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Regards
Neil
Sent from my iPhone
On 10 May 2015, at 06:50, Paula Vennells <
wrote:
Hi Mark,
I'll need some lines on this for the conference tomorrow and we may
more generally for the media? Can you send me the transcript of the
whole article pls, as I can't get a connection through to Precise.
Without seeing all of it, it's the £75k figure that stands out. Can I have
an explanation/ justification - to the public that will read like an
expensive handout. Not helpful with a new minister on the way. And
potentially irresponsible from the Fed.
And do you think you could get hold of the release? Difficult to know
without reading all of it, if it's helpful or not. The £75k isn't. They have
raised the cliff, which could be either. The figures feel overstated.
We are about to sign a grant agreement, where they are seen as a
professional partner and no longer pandering to their traditional
members. The tone of this release is important in that context.
Thanks Paula
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Precise
Date: 10 May 20
To: <Preci diaEL@
Subject: Media coverage for The Post Office: The Post
Office, 10052015 (05:46)
THE POST OFFICE - 10/05/2015
Media Platform and mobile access
mediaplatformplus.precise.co.uk
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ALL COVERAGE
All Articles
POST OFFICE - NATIONALS
All Articles
MORTGAGES
The Observer, 10/05/2015, p.50, Unattributed
The Post office appears in a mortgage best buy table
Article
sub-postmasters in £75,000 payout amid shake-up
The Sunday Telegraph, 10/05/2015, p.2, Roland Gribben
MORE than 1,000 sub-postmasters have quit with compensation averaging £75,000 a head as the
Post Office pushes ahead with an extensive reorganisation programme to make the business more
competitive without state aid. The National Federation of Sub-Postmasters (NFSP) told The Sunday
Telegraph this weekend that thousands more are planning to follow in a shake-up that will accelerate
the rapid change under way. An image makeover and for many a new home are part of what is
described as the biggest transformation in the history of the few remaining state-owned businesses.
Article
Stag do that's not too...deer
The Sun, 10/05/2015, p.40, Unattributed
STAG and hen parties looking for cheap booze are best advised to venture to the cities of Eastern
Europe. Out of ten of the most popular cities for pre-wedding breaks, there was no beating Hungarian
capital Budapest for affordable booze, research by the Post Office's Travel Money service found. Next
easiest on the wallet was Czech Republic capital Prague, followed by Latvian capital Riga.
Article
MORTGAGE BEST BUYS
The Mail on Sunday, 10/05/2015, p.101, Unattributed
The Post office appears in a mortgage best buy table
Article
Co-op Bank launches lowest 2-year mortgage fix in history - but is it the best deal?
Moneysupermarket.com (Web), 09/05/2015, Read More About Melanie
As you can see, at borrowing of £150,000, the cheapest from these comparable two-year fixes, is
NOT the deal with the lowest rate. It's Tesco Bank's mortgage which comes with a 1.59% rate but a
pretty negligible fee of £195. Post Office: Deposit: 40%. Rate: 1.78%. Fee: £0. Total cost over 2
years: £14,856.
Article I Link
Sub-postmasters in #75,000 payout amid shake-up
Yahoo! UK and Ireland (Web), 09/05/2015, Unattributed
More than 1,000 sub-postmasters have quit as the Post Office pushes ahead with an extensive
reorganisation programme to make the business more competitive without state aid
Article I Link
Sub-postmasters in #75,000 payout amid shake-up
Telegraph (Web), 09/05/2015, Roland Gribben
More than 1,000 sub-postmasters have quit with compensation averaging £75,000 a head as the Post
Office pushes ahead with an extensive reorganisation programme to make the business more
competitive without state aid. The National Federation of Sub-Postmasters (NFSP) told the Telegraph
that thousands more are planning to follow in a shake-up that will accelerate the rapid change under
way. Waitrose, Tesco, McColl’s, the Co-op and WH Smith are among supermarket groups and high
street chains now providing room for local sub-post offices and offering longer opening hours.
Article I Link
NETWORK TRANSFORMATION
All Articles
Heathfield Post Office ‘handled disgracefully’
Sussex Express (Uckfield), 08/05/2015, p.3, Susan King
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Anger is mounting at the apparent failure of the powers that be to re-open Heathfield’s Post Office.
The office closed unexpectedly on April 1 with no explanation. An employee of Salisbury's, (Post
Office head leaseholder, which is opposite the Post Office in Station Road,) told the Express: "We
have all been told the Post Office operators had debts and auditors came in to close it. No-one knows.
what is supposed to happen next."
Article
MORE TIME GIVEN TO BUY STORE
Cumberland News (City), 01/05/2015, p.10, Unattributed
Hallbankgate Hub Limited has been set up and has four months to raise about £100,000 to secure the
future of the village shop, which currently employs five staff and houses a library link and the village
post office.
Article
Post Office set to move but stationer stays
Royal Borough Observer, 08/05/2015, p.30, Unattributed
Eton Post Office seems set to move to the new Budgens store due to open in High Street this
summer. A six-week consultation period has been started by the Post Office to get public reaction to
the plan. Moving to the new Budgens will enable the Post Office to be open seven days a week
between 7am and 10pm (5pm on Sunday) as opposed to the current six days a week from 9am to
5.30pm (12.30pm on Saturday).
Article
Post Office ‘under threat’
Peeblesshire News, 08/05/2015, p.3, Unattributed
A BORDERS Post Office is under threat as townsfolk are being driven away by the abysmal service,
community councillors were warned this week. The Village Store in Innerleithen was recently the
subject of a raid by Home Office immigration officers who arrested two men on suspicion of working
in the UK illegally. Complaints have been made about slow service, unhelpful staff and a lack of
privacy for customers as the Post Office area, it was claimed, is not properly separated from other
parts of the shop.
Article
Village post office set for refurbishment
Cumberland News (City), 01/05/2015, p.10, Unattributed
Haltwhistle's Post Office is to be refurbished in the hope that modern upgrades will get a stamp of
approval from customers and will close next week for nine working days while the work takes place.
The Post Office, on Main Street, will close next week for nine working days while the work takes place.
The store, which closes at 5.30pm on Thursday, will have a new layout and two modern screen
counters when it reopens. The modernisation is part of the largest investment programme in the
history of the Post Office and aims to secure services for the future.
Article
Emerson's Armagh
Ulster Grocer, 01/04/2015, p.12, Unattributed
Emerson's supermarket in the hub of Armagh city centre has had a £2m refurbishment with a variety
of additions, namely the addition of Uluru Bar & Grill and also the relocation of the city's Post Office.
The new open-plan Post Office has four counter positions, one modern screened counter and two
open-plan positions. There is also a Post Office terminal by the shop's retail till, which will enable
customers to benefit from services during Emerson's opening hours.
Article
POST OFFICE: Warning to Sutton Bridge
Spalding Guardian (Web), 09/05/2015, Unattributed
Letter: I read with interest the item on page 15 of last week’s Guardian and would like to warn the
residents of Sutton Bridge that the information provided by the Post Office may not be correct. Here in
Pinchbeck we received similar information about longer opening times, including Sunday, of the Post
Office if/when it was moved from a stand alone post office into the Mace shop. The opening times
quoted were those of the shop BUT the post office section is not, and never has kept those times.
Article I Link
Eton Post Office set to move but stationer stays
Local Berkshire (Web), 09/05/2015, Unattributed
ETON Post Office seems set to move from its present site to the new Budgens store due to open in
High Street this summer. A six-week consultation period has been started by the Post Office to get
public reaction to the plan. Moving to the new Budgens will enable the Post Office to be open seven
days a week between 7am and 10pm (5pm on Sunday). The Post Office service will be offered from a
till on the main retail counter in a modern open plan setting.
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Article I Link
Eton Post Office set to move but stationer stays
Windsor and Maidenhead Observer (Web), 09/05/2015, Unattributed
ETON Post Office seems set to move from its present site to the new Budgens store due to open in
High Street this summer. A six-week consultation period has been started by the Post Office to get
public reaction to the plan. Moving to the new Budgens will enable the Post Office to be open seven
days a week between 7am and 10pm (5pm on Sunday). The Post Office service will be offered from a
till on the main retail counter in a modern open plan setting.
Article I Link
Eton Post Office set to move but stationer stays
Slough and Langley Observer (Web), 09/05/2015, Unattributed
ETON Post Office seems set to move from its present site to the new Budgens store due to open in
High Street this summer. A six-week consultation period has been started by the Post Office to get
public reaction to the plan. Moving to the new Budgens will enable the Post Office to be open seven
days a week between 7am and 10pm (5pm on Sunday). The Post Office service will be offered from a
till on the main retail counter in a modern open plan setting
Article I Link
Sandown Post Office To Move
Isle of Wight Radio (Web), 09/05/2015, Matt White
Sandown post office will be re-locating to the town’s Spar shop this summer. The Post Office said the
new branch in the Albert Street store would offer an additional 58 hours per week, including on
Sundays. Will Russell Post Office Regional Manager, said: “This modernisation is part of a major
investment programme, the largest in the history of the post office and will secure services for the
future."
Article I Link
POST OFFICE - REGIONALS
All Articles
Your pound goes further
Sunday Mercury, 10/05/2015, p.13, Unattributed
ANYONE planning a break to Europe this year will be pleased to hear that their pound will stretch
further in a number of resorts, according to results of the latest Post Office Travel Money Holiday
Costs Barometer. The report, which measures the average cost of a basket of 10 tourist staples
(including evening meals, drinks, sun cream and insect repellent), suggests prices have fallen across
the continent, giving a great incentive to take a short-haul holiday.
Article
Your pound goes further
Wales on Sunday, 10/05/2015, p.15, Unattributed
ANYONE planning a break to Europe this year will be pleased to hear that their pound will stretch
further in a number of resorts, according to results of the latest Post Office Travel Money Holiday
Costs Barometer. The report, which measures the average cost of a basket of 10 tourist staples
(including evening meals, drinks, sun cream and insect repellent), suggests prices have fallen across
the continent, giving a great incentive to take a short-haul holiday.
Article
Bank to close town branch
Hull Daily Mail, 09/05/2015, p.21, Ben Blosse
Yorkshire Bank is to close its only branch in Driffield. "Customers can still use the post office down
the road in Market Place for bank transactions," said a spokesman.
Article
Be careful to choose a good conveyancer
Darlington And Stockton Times, 08/05/2015, p.46, Unattributed
According to latest figures from Post Office Money and the Centre for Economics and Business
Research, in the past ten years the cost of home purchase conveyancing has risen less than the fees
charged by estate agents and surveyors.
Article
HOLIDAY COSTS FALL AS POUND GOES FURTHER
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Aberdeen Evening Express, 09/05/2015, p.23, Unattributed
Anyone planning a break to Europe this year will be pleased to hear that their pound will stretch
further in a number of resorts, according to results of the latest Post Office Travel Money Holiday
Costs Barometer. The biggest year-on-year fall has been in the Algarve (Portugal), where prices have
dropped 22% compared to last year.
Article
Holidays in Europe cost less for Brits
The Bolton News, 09/05/2015, p.26, Sarah Marshall
Anyone planning a break to Europe this year will be pleased to hear that their pound will stretch
further in a number of resorts, according to results of the latest Post Office Travel Money Holiday
Costs Barometer. The biggest year-on-year fall has been in the Algarve (Portugal), where prices have
dropped 22% compared to last year.
Article
Manage your money monthly
East End Life, 04/05/2015, p.8, Unattributed
THIS year, single people in Tower Hamlets who are claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) and are
new claimants, or have a change in circumstance, are beginning to be moved over on to Universal
Credit. This will mean some people will be paid most of their benefits in one monthly payment. We
think everybody on Universal Credit will need to have a transactional bank, building society or credit
union account. If all you have at the moment is a Post Office card account, consider opening a basic
or current account.
Article
Mortgage monitor
The Journal (Newcastle Upon Tyne), 09/05/2015, p.29, Unattributed
This week's best buys include... Remortgage four-year fixed rate Rate: 2.68% (APR 3.8%) Variable
rate for remaining term: 3.99% Arrangement fees: £195 Benefits: 75% Itv, low fees & low rate Early
repayment charge: none (Post Office)
Article
Phone problem was very stressful for me
Sidmouth Herald, 08/05/2015, p.10, Unattributed
Letter: My phone was out of action from February 9-19. Callers, including Post Office
Telecommunications, which provides my telephone services, could hear it ringing but it did not ring in
the house or go to answer phone. I was, at that time, having to arrange serious medical appointments
at the RD&E. Customer care at Post Office Telecommunications were most unhelpful. Without
warning, the line was restored - no apology except I would not be charged for that period for line
rental. Post Office Telecommunications have now written and apologised to me, saying the problem
had been resolved. I presume it is over now, but I won't bank on it.
Article
War memorial move bid is rejected for a second time
Cambridgeshire Times (Wisbech), 08/05/2015, p.1, Sarah Cliss
The Post Office has failed in its latest attempt to move a memorial containing the names of 13
Wisbech postal workers killed during the two World Wars. Phil Swain from Post Office Ltd first tried in
January and was refused and his latest bid has also failed. Graham Nourse, chief planning officer for
Fenland Council, said: "The proposal is considered to cause harm to the significance of the Grade II
listed Post Office, which would not be justified or outweighed by public benefit."
Article
West Linton hit by crime wave
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What... should you consider before taking cash from your pension?
Rutland & Stamford Mercury & Citizen, 08/05/2015, p.113, Unattributed
Average moving costs, including stamp duty, estate agent and surveyors' fees and removals came to
£11,894 by the end of 2014, according to a study compiled by Post Office Money and the Centre for
Economics and Business Research.
Article
POST OFFICE - TRADE
All Articles
Franking isn't just for letters
Quick Print Pro, 01/05/2015, p.6, Unattributed
The Local Collect network allows online shoppers to organise deliveries to be sent to a local Post
Office for collection in person.
Article
POST OFFICE - ONLINE & WIRES
All Articles
Crimestoppers, Post Office renew
Professional Security (Web), 09/05/2015, Unattributed
The crime-reporting charity Crimestoppers, and Post Office Limited, have announced they will
continue to work in partnership after several crime-fighting campaigns. Rob King, Senior Security
Manager for the Post Office Limited, said: “We are very pleased to be continuing our partnership with
Crimestoppers to prevent crime and loss across many parts of the UK. The Post Office is responsible
for providing products and services right at the very heart of the community and it is vital that our
customers can rely on these services to be maintained.”
Article I Link
Yorkshire Bank to close Driffield branch
Hull Daily Mail (Web), 09/05/2015, Unattributed
Yorkshire Bank is to close its only branch in Driffield. "Customers can still use the post office down
the road in Market Place for bank transactions as well," said a spokesman.
Article I Link
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COMPETITORS
All Articles
BEST BUYS AT A GLANCE
The Sunday Times, 10/05/2015, p.2, Unattributed
Financial best buys
Article
SAVINGS
The Observer, 10/05/2015, p.50, Unattributed
Savings best buy table
Article
LENDERS INSIST ON CALLING IN PROFESSIONALS
The Mail on Sunday, 10/05/2015, p.100, Unattributed
A LOAN provider can ruin your hopes of buying a dream home if it comes across the words ‘Japanese
knotweed' on a surveyor's report. BARCLAYS demands you call in an expert who is a member of the
Property Care Association - and who offers a ten-year insurance-backed guarantee against its return
if the plant has been discovered within seven metres of the home. NATIONWIDE BUILDING
SOCIETY also baulks at lending against a home with a garden infested with knotweed - unless you
promise to sort it out.
Article
So many cheap mortgage offers, so many caveats
The Independent On Sunday, 10/05/2015, p.61, Sarah Pennells
There have been a couple of headline-grabbing fixed-rate deals launched recently. For example, the
Co-operative Bank is now offering a two-year fix at 1.09 per cent and HSBC has a five-year deal at
1.99 per cent. However, these may not be right for you. For a start, the best rates are often only
available on mortgages up to 60 per cent loan to value and there may be high fees (£1,499 with
HSBC and Co-op Bank).
Article
The lowdown on two-year deals
The Mail on Sunday, 10/05/2015, p.95, Neil Simpson
The latest deals include a new two-year fixed rate loan from Co-operative Bank set at just 1.09 per
cent until the end of June 2017. Yorkshire Building Society has a similar deal a little higher, set at
1.18 per cent running until the end of July 2017. If you pick a two-year discounted or variable rate
deal such as a tracker you can start off paying even less. HSBC has a discounted mortgage charging
just 0.99 per cent. If the Bank of England base rate doesn't change, it too will stick at that level until
July 2017.
Article
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