UK Post office closure proposals update

Postwatch urges UK customers to have their say on the future of the post office network by responding to the government’s consultation, due to close on 8th
March.

The government is proposing to close up to 2,500 post offices throughout the UK, establish new minimum access criteria to maintain a national network, put in place 500 ‘outreach’ services such as mobile post offices, and continue to fund the rural network to 2011. These proposed changes seek to address the network’s current difficulties, with 90 percent of rural branches failing to make a profit, revenue from government transactions falling by GBP 68 million last year, and overall financial losses for the network expected to rise from GBP 111 million to GBP 200 million this year.

Commenting on the consultation, Millie Banerjee, Chair of Postwatch, said:
“The government’s proposals signal a massive change for the post office network, and anyone who uses these services should take an interest in the consultation.

“Postwatch has been urging the government to take action to address the current problems and to put in place a sustainable way of meeting customers’ post office needs. We therefore welcome the opportunity the consultation gives to contribute our thoughts on the appropriate next steps.