This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/business-16143730

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Computer glitch hits post offices Computer glitch hits post offices
(4 days later)
Transactions were affected at the Post Office network on Monday as computer issues caused problems on one of the busiest days of the year.Transactions were affected at the Post Office network on Monday as computer issues caused problems on one of the busiest days of the year.
Some transactions were affected for two 30-minute periods, leading to queues.Some transactions were affected for two 30-minute periods, leading to queues.
The Post Office apologised, saying that the service had now been restored across the UK network of 11,800 branches.The Post Office apologised, saying that the service had now been restored across the UK network of 11,800 branches.
The problem came as Royal Mail's website continued to suffer from a computer glitch.The problem came as Royal Mail's website continued to suffer from a computer glitch.
"We are very sorry for the inconvenience this problem has caused customers. We know how important the Post Office is to our customers at all times, but especially at Christmas," said Kevin Gilliland, the Post Office's network and sales director."We are very sorry for the inconvenience this problem has caused customers. We know how important the Post Office is to our customers at all times, but especially at Christmas," said Kevin Gilliland, the Post Office's network and sales director.
RepeatRepeat
This is the second computer problem at the network in six months. In July, a shutdown blocked access for 3.3 million customers with Post Office card accounts.This is the second computer problem at the network in six months. In July, a shutdown blocked access for 3.3 million customers with Post Office card accounts.
Some pensioners have their benefits paid into a Post Office card account.Some pensioners have their benefits paid into a Post Office card account.
A Post Office spokesman said the glitch affected most services offered by the branches which were hit.A Post Office spokesman said the glitch affected most services offered by the branches which were hit.
Andy Burrows, from the government-backed watchdog Consumer Focus, said the problems would have caused "major disruption".Andy Burrows, from the government-backed watchdog Consumer Focus, said the problems would have caused "major disruption".
"People rely upon the Post Office not just for mail services but also to access cash and much-needed pensions and benefits. We will be taking up our concerns with Post Office Limited as a priority," he said."People rely upon the Post Office not just for mail services but also to access cash and much-needed pensions and benefits. We will be taking up our concerns with Post Office Limited as a priority," he said.
DeliveriesDeliveries
Post offices were expected to be particularly busy, because Royal Mail was predicting its busiest day of the year.Post offices were expected to be particularly busy, because Royal Mail was predicting its busiest day of the year.
They were expecting 131 million items to be posted, double the usual number. They had taken on thousands of extra staff to cope with the Christmas rush, caused in part by the popularity of online shopping.They were expecting 131 million items to be posted, double the usual number. They had taken on thousands of extra staff to cope with the Christmas rush, caused in part by the popularity of online shopping.
Last week, Royal Mail admitted that it had charged some customers twice for postal services as problems continue to hit its website.Last week, Royal Mail admitted that it had charged some customers twice for postal services as problems continue to hit its website.
Some 600 customers had cards debited twice, at an average of £50 each time, after repeating a purchase in the SmartStamp section which the system told them had initially failed. Various online postage applications - such as Price Finder - have also been down since 21 November.Some 600 customers had cards debited twice, at an average of £50 each time, after repeating a purchase in the SmartStamp section which the system told them had initially failed. Various online postage applications - such as Price Finder - have also been down since 21 November.
A Post Office spokesman said the issues affecting Royal Mail were unrelated to the problems at the Post Office network on Monday.A Post Office spokesman said the issues affecting Royal Mail were unrelated to the problems at the Post Office network on Monday.
The final deadline of Christmas post for sending overseas was Monday, and for standard packages is 14 December.The final deadline of Christmas post for sending overseas was Monday, and for standard packages is 14 December.
The Christmas deadline for second-class post is 17 December and is three days later for first-class deliveries.The Christmas deadline for second-class post is 17 December and is three days later for first-class deliveries.
Were you affected by the computer glitch? Send us your comments.