Mark has hailed the UK Government’s announcement to expand the financial services offered by local Post Offices as the establishment of a new "people's bank" that will bring banking back to heart of local communities.

In January, Mark organised a meeting in Parliament on this issue which brought together leading politicians, the managing director of the Post Office, and representatives from the Cooperative movement, credit unions and charities such as Help the Aged. For a full report on this click here.

He said:

"I'm delighted that the people of Edinburgh will have a people's bank in their local community.

"Today's announcement will bring banking to the heart of local communities in Edinburgh.

"This announcement will change the face of the post office and provide real financial help to people in Edinburgh who need it most and re-affirm the post office's status as the centre of local communities.

"People want a bank that is on their side and the UK Government has listened and taken a great step to give the people of Edinburgh a people's bank."

"This is another example of the decisive action that Labour is taking to help people through financial difficulties and secure Scotland's economic recovery."

The new plans will mark a real shift of gear in banking at the Post Office and means that local post offices will offer customers a range of financial services such as

• current accounts
• mortgages
• Savings Gateway accounts for people on low incomes where the Government will provide 50p for every one pound saved