Political opinion with Chris Coughlan MP: Give Horley a Post Office

Sadly, Horley has lost its Post Office on Consort Way because Morrisons has closed. The nearest option is on Meath Green Lane, which is a 20-minute walk away and has limited parking. I met with the Post Office about this to see how we can minimise the impact. I have heard from locals and businesses who say this makes accessing important services difficult.

I’m glad to hear that, after readvertising, they’ve now had a few expressions of interest in running a replacement Post Office, but we need to make sure it happens. Please sign my petition to give Horley a central, accessible location for this crucial service: https://www.chriscoghlan.org/petitions-and-surveys/give-horley-town-a-post-office.

Reliable services are essential, and the consequences when they fail are clear in my ongoing casework on public-sector pensions. Many are at breaking point because Capita has failed to pay their public-sector pensions for months. This has had an appalling impact on families in my constituency and, sadly, I continue to be contacted about this weekly. This is causing severe financial and emotional stress, with many suffering at a time when they should be enjoying their retirement. 

Frustratingly, the only meaningful way to contact Capita is by phone. People often spend hours trying to get through, with many calling every week and some eventually having their calls cut off by their phone provider.

I spoke with Peter from Horley, who works for the Metropolitan Police and is taking partial retirement due to health problems. He has not even received his pension quote after he put in his request back in February. He is now losing 20% of his salary with no idea as to when he will receive his payments.  

I have been raising this issue both publicly and with the government since April, so it’s upsetting that things have not got any better. In many cases, they’ve got worse. I am, however, glad that the government are now withholding payments from Capita for their atrocious service and plan to take the pension scheme back off them. 

I'll be hosting a discussion at Charlwood Parish Hall on Monday the 26th of October between 18:30 and 20:00. Whether you have something specific to raise or just want to be part of the conversation, I’d be very glad to see you there.  

If you’d like to get in touch about the above or anything else, please email me at [email protected]