Brussels, 23/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 23 March, the European Commission authorised £180 million (€212 million) of public assistance to the UK Post Office Ltd for the funding of its network of post offices over one year starting on 1st April 2011. The Commission also authorised the continuation, over the same period, of existing loan facilities funding the provision of cash services at post office counters. It concluded that the aid is compatible with EU rules because “it does not over-compensate the net costs of the important public service tasks entrusted to Post Office Ltd and so does not give the Post Office Ltd any unfair competitive advantage”. (O.L./transl.rt)