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Future of the Post Office 2025-07-14
14 July 2025
Lead MP
Gareth Thomas
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Economy
Other Contributors: 18
At a Glance
Gareth Thomas raised concerns about future of the post office 2025-07-14 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Post offices are vital to communities and face challenges due to declining financial sustainability, changing consumer habits, and technological issues. The Government seeks to modernise the Post Office network while maintaining its current size, offering a wide range of in-person services including banking transactions, parcel drop-offs, and essential government services. They propose an investment of over £500 million during this Parliament and aim for operational and financial stability by 2030 with postmaster incomes to increase by £250 million by the end of the decade.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
Post offices are crucial in connecting communities, providing essential services and supporting local economies. While online services have grown, post offices still play a vital role in delivering banking services and parcels, especially in rural areas where they serve as the only shop for miles around. The hon. Lady questioned the Government's commitment to maintaining 11,500 post office outlets at the end of this Parliament and expressed concerns over reducing branch requirements and business rate increases impacting post offices.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Welcomes statement on Green Paper consultation, emphasising opportunity for Post Office to expand its services through collaboration with banks. Suggests this as a means of leveraging the decline in high-street banking.
Sarah Olney
LD
Richmond Park
Welcomes announcement but highlights importance of essential local services and post office jobs, stressing need for consultation before any closures. Questions viability of post offices under digitisation plans.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
Commends inclusion of mutualisation as a long-term idea in the Green Paper, highlighting importance of Post Offices in rural communities like Little Hallingbury in his constituency.
Edinburgh West
Points out recent loss of post offices and banks in semi-rural areas of her constituency. Questions how the Government plans to rebuild public trust following the Horizon scandal.
Katrina Murray
Lab
Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch
Highlights issue of bank closures leading to reliance on post offices for cash access, particularly in Cumbernauld. Asks Minister what will be done to ensure continued cash provision.
Claire Young
LD
Thornbury and Yate
Inquires about possible relaxation of distance and access criteria for post office services in rural areas, suggesting current provisions can hinder accessibility due to lack of public transport.
Julie Minns
Lab
Carlisle
Thanking Minister for statement, raises issue of sudden closure of outreach post office services in remote parts of her constituency without adequate consultation. Asks if requirements for closure of such services will be strengthened as part of proposals.
The most important thing we can do for Post Office branches in rural Scotland and across the UK is to improve the commercial future of the Post Office. This includes investing in new technology, such as a replacement for Horizon, and enabling banks to provide more services through post offices. The Green Paper sets out plans to improve the opportunities for every branch to better serve communities.
Luke Akehurst
Lab
North Durham
I welcome what is happening with Chester-le-Street's post office becoming a banking hub but am concerned about its transition from directly managed status to franchise status. With more commercial flair, the Post Office could play a significant role in increasing footfall and reversing high street decline.
South Devon
Since the election, three post offices have closed in my constituency due to resignations or the death of local postmasters. The nearest branch for residents is now nearly 5 miles away and there is no bus service available, making it difficult for elderly people who do not drive to access services. I ask for a guarantee that rural branches will not be lost during ongoing reviews.
Jo Platt
Lab/Co-op
Leigh and Atherton
I welcome the announcement of changes to our local post office, which is part of the Co-operative model. I am concerned about the impact on high street decline in Leigh and want reassurance that staff will not lose their jobs as a result of franchising.
Helen Morgan
LD
North Shropshire
The size and shape of my constituency's Post Office network is rapidly shrinking due to the fragility of the current setup. The retirement of sub-postmistresses has led to closure of outreach services across the area. I ask for a commitment to look at sustainable models for rural post offices.
Tom Gordon
LD
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Residents in my constituency faced prolonged periods without Post Office service last year due to communication issues with officials about contract types, awards, and minimum standards. I request a meeting to address local concerns and discuss the role of governance in the Green Paper consultation.
St Ives
I ask whether post offices can be seen as Government offices with expanded roles for information, connectivity, and feedback from various Departments. This could help resolve issues such as prohibitive costs preventing new branches from opening.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Many post offices in my constituency have closed recently. Businesses interested in running a branch face prohibitive costs, making it difficult for them to proceed. I ask what steps will be taken not only to stabilise existing branches but also to help rural areas regain lost services.
Hon. Lady
Not specified
Raises concerns about the financial challenges faced by postmasters.
Newton Abbot
Concerned about the franchising of Crown post offices before consultation and the lack of post boxes in new estates. Asked for pressure on Royal Mail to ensure provision of post boxes.
Government Response
The Government aims to strengthen the Post Office network by modernising it while maintaining its current size, offering a wide range of in-person services including banking transactions, parcel drop-offs, and essential government services. They propose an investment of over £500 million during this Parliament and aim for operational and financial stability by 2030 with postmaster incomes to increase by £250 million by the end of the decade. Stresses the importance of Post Office in communities, particularly to small businesses. Emphasises the ongoing work with banks for more banking services via post offices. Defends current consultation arrangements and financial support from Treasury. Commits to considering submissions on closure requirements. The Green Paper aims to improve the commercial future of Post Offices, including investment in new technology and increased banking services. We will work with banks to provide more services through post offices and address issues such as remuneration for postmasters which is crucial to attracting willing participants. Acknowledged concerns raised and offered to pass specific issues regarding post box availability directly to Royal Mail through a letter.
Shadow Response
Dame Harriett Baldwin
Shadow Response
Post offices are crucial in connecting communities, providing essential services and supporting local economies. While online services have grown, post offices still play a vital role in delivering banking services and parcels, especially in rural areas where they serve as the only shop for miles around. The hon. Lady questioned the Government's commitment to maintaining 11,500 post office outlets at the end of this Parliament and expressed concerns over reducing branch requirements and business rate increases impacting post offices.
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