← Back to House of Commons Debates
Post Office Green Paper
25 February 2026
Lead MP
Blair McDougall
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Business & Trade
Other Contributors: 22
At a Glance
Blair McDougall raised concerns about post office green paper 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:
Government Statement
The Minister announced the Government's response to a national consultation on the future of the Post Office. Over 2,500 people responded, and the statement emphasised maintaining at least 11,500 branches across the UK, including rural areas, alongside six geographical access criteria. A new requirement mandates that at least half of these branches must be full-time and full-service, ensuring reliable and comprehensive services to communities. The Government will provide up to £483 million over two years for modernisation efforts, in addition to a network subsidy of £70 million in 2026-27. Technology upgrades are planned to replace the Horizon system within five years to improve customer service and postmasters' job satisfaction. Additionally, the Government will address banking services, digital exclusion, and financial crime safeguards by fostering partnerships with the banking sector and implementing a common physical front door for government services. The Minister also committed to reinforcing the Post Office’s relationship with postmasters through cultural reforms, including an independent evaluation of engagement initiatives. Overall, the response aims at long-term stability, resilience, and adaptability for the Post Office.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
Question
The Shadow welcomed the decision but questioned why the Government mandated that at least half of post offices must be full-time and full-service branches, expressing concern about what services will be provided by non-full-service branches. She asked if small rural branches could consolidate into city-centre hubs under this new requirement.
Minister reply
The Minister responded to these concerns by emphasising the Government’s commitment to maintaining a strong network of post offices that are reliable and accessible, especially in rural areas. He assured that all branches will meet minimum service standards and provided reassurance that small rural branches would not be forced into consolidation.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
Question
The Shadow asked for details on how the current system will be maintained after the first two years of funding, and inquired about specific agreements with banks to support post office branches where bank closures are occurring.
Minister reply
The Minister clarified that the £483 million investment is part of a broader modernisation programme and confirmed ongoing discussions between the Post Office and banking sector aimed at enhancing financial services provision through voluntary commercial arrangements.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
Question
The hon. Member thanked the Minister for his statement and welcomed the decision to maintain network size at 11,500 branches while praising campaigners. She also criticised tax hikes due to national insurance increases and business rates rises. Baldwin asked questions about the requirement for at least 50% of the network to be full-time and full-service, maintenance after the first two years of funding, bank support for post office branches where banks are closing, and updates regarding discussions with Fujitsu.
Minister reply
The Minister responded positively to the hon. Member's comments about the role of post offices in communities and high streets, noting that £483 million will be invested in transformation for financial sustainability. He clarified that no small rural branches will consolidate into city-centre hubs under the new requirements and mentioned a technology transformation programme with £136 million allocated towards IT improvements. The Minister also discussed evolving beyond transactional spaces to become first-choice providers of cash services and other high street offerings.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
Question
The hon. Member welcomed the Minister's statement and raised two issues: supporting small post offices like Mosborough, which is on the margins of viability, and the closure of the Lloyds bank branch in Woodhouse without a banking hub being established despite willingness from Richard Trinder to run one.
Minister reply
The Minister noted that smaller post offices are indeed at risk due to their size but highlighted investment for network transformation as a way to support these businesses. He mentioned ongoing discussions with banks regarding the importance of access to banking services, especially in light of recent high street bank closures.
Sarah Olney
Lib Dem
Richmond Park
Question
I thank the Minister for advance sight of his statement, and I promise to set a good example for colleagues by keeping my response brief. As the Minister has laid out, the responses to the consultation underscored the importance of post offices as community hubs that provide vital services, not least to NHS patients through the delivery of important medical correspondence. Some 99.7% of the population live within three miles of a post office, and 4,000 of these branches are open seven days a week. That is an increasingly important statistic, given the rapid closure of high street services such as banks over the past decade. The Minister has said that at least 50% of the network must be full-time and full-service branches. Many people rely on the post office to provide vital services, so can the Minister confirm that we will not see a reduction in the number of full-time branches and that he will ensure that opening hours continue to meet the needs of working people?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Lady for welcoming today’s statement. On the additional protection that we are bringing in, I reassure her that in addition to maintaining the network of 11,500 post offices, the access criteria stipulate that 99% of the UK population must be within three miles of a post office outlet, 90% must be within one mile, 99% of those living in deprived urban areas must be within one mile, 95% of the total urban population must be within one mile, and 95% of the total rural population must be within three miles. Then we have the additional protection, particularly in rural areas, that 95% of the population in every postcode district must be within six miles of a post office.
Tom Hayes
Lab
Bournemouth East
Question
I welcome the announcement of £483 million to invest in our post offices around the country, and I join the Minister in thanking our postmasters and postal staff, particularly those at the Southbourne Grove, Malmesbury Park, Hengistbury Head and Sea Road post offices in my constituency. What happens at Royal Mail affects our postal services—it is unavoidable—so I am concerned about the adoption of the optimised delivery network in Bournemouth and more broadly. The Minister and I were recently at a meeting with the Post Office in which we had a private discussion about its future. Does he agree that the work of the Government in this area is key to building pride in our communities, tackling antisocial behaviour and having a diverse mix of offer on our high streets? That is the only way in which we will truly regenerate our high streets in Bournemouth and across the country.
Minister reply
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for campaigning for his own high streets, and particularly for his local post office network. He is absolutely right to say that our response recognises the importance of post offices as anchors in high streets—they help drive footfall.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Question
Kingswinford is the largest town centre in my constituency, but it has been without a post office since the Midcounties Co-operative closed the store in which the post office was located. That loss has become even more significant since Lloyds bank announced this month that it was closing the only bank in the town centre. The Minister has spoken about retaining a minimum post office network, but what will the Government do to help re-open post offices in town centres that do not currently have a post office, such as Kingswinford?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman makes a really important point: it can be really devastating when a post office closes, particularly in a small community. There will always be churn within the network—there will be businesses that succeed or fail as post offices.
Adam Thompson
Lab
Erewash
Question
High streets in towns like Long Eaton have come under growing strain in recent years, not least because of widespread bank closures, but around one in five people is still not using online banking—a group that disproportionately includes older and disabled residents. I am fighting hard for the establishment of a banking hub in Long Eaton. Given the clear need for accessible financial services, what role does the Minister envisage for post offices in supporting the regeneration of high streets in Erewash, and what support is he providing to strengthen the Post Office’s financial services?
Minister reply
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for the campaigns that he runs in defence of his local high streets. Just before the end of the year, we brought together Post Office Ltd and the high street banks to begin a discussion about the future of banking and financial services within the Post Office.
David Mundell
Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Question
I have a particular interest in this matter, because the world’s oldest post office is in Sanquhar, in my constituency, which has operated continuously since 1712, despite some scares in recent years. The Minister would be very welcome to visit it. I urge him to get some urgency into the discussion with the banks, because there is significant confusion between the banking hub legislation and rules and the role of the Post Office. For example, in Sanquhar, although the Bank of Scotland has provided a banking adviser to come to the community following the closure of its branch, it will not allow that person to meet people within the post office. Likewise, in Moffat, where we had a bank closure, the post office will not operate a vital cash machine that is required in that community. Will the Minister increase his efforts to get the banks and post offices together to get a co-ordinated approach?
Minister reply
I was going to make a cruel joke about the right hon. Member remembering the opening of that post office, but I am too fond of him to do that. He pays tribute to it, and I would gladly visit, perhaps on the way back to my constituency from Parliament one weekend.
Jessica Toale
Lab
Bournemouth West
Question
Last year, I ran a community campaign to save Westbourne post office, which mobilised thousands, and the post office was kept open. I also put pressure on Post Office Ltd to reopen a full service post office in Bournemouth town centre after the WH Smith closed, and one is opening in May. Residents should not have to fight so hard for their post offices. They provide a vital lifeline, especially for older and more vulnerable residents, allowing them to access government services, and for our local businesses, as we have heard. How will the Minister ensure that post offices remain a fixture on our high streets, and play a crucial role in revitalising our high streets and town centres?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is a constant campaigner on behalf of local post offices, and I am not surprised that she had that victory. I look forward to visiting her constituency, and she can perhaps introduce me to the local postmasters while I am there.
Aphra Brandreth
Con
Chester South and Eddisbury
Question
Welcomed the Government’s commitment to retaining the minimum network size of 11,500 post office branches. Highlighted concern over rural villages like Kelsall and Threapwood where post offices are closing despite efforts to reopen them.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the MP's campaigning on behalf of post offices in her constituency and emphasised the maintenance of access criteria for rural areas, stressing the need for businesses to be profitable and attractive remuneration for postmasters.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Question
Acknowledged Mohammed Arshad’s sons taking over services in their shop after the closure of a directly managed post office, praising longer opening hours and additional services available.
Minister reply
Reassured Mohammed Arshad and his sons about the statement’s implications and thanked them for serving their community. Stressed the importance of supporting postmasters and improving remuneration.
Andrew George
Lib Dem
St Ives
Question
Welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Minister regarding the issue, raised concerns over required stamp sales for minimum wage levels and lack of interest in taking on services.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the importance of remuneration for postmasters and the Post Office's network sustainability. Mentioned half a billion pounds investment into network transformation.
Danny Beales
Lab
Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Question
Welcomed the statement, expressed frustration over planned closure of Uxbridge post office branch despite the commitment to 11,500 branches.
Minister reply
Encouraged collaboration between local authorities and Post Office for maintaining a post office in Uxbridge town centre.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
Question
Addressed the issue of post office closures in both rural areas and cities, highlighted transport network limitations affecting accessibility.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the impact of post office closures on communities and emphasised the need for Post Office profitability to ensure sustainable operations.
David Taylor
Lab
Hemel Hempstead
Question
Welcomed the Minister’s statement on multi-carrier parcel hubs, expressed concern over private courier working conditions.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the importance of workers’ rights and emphasised ongoing efforts to improve working conditions.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Celebrated successful local campaign to reopen Lyndhurst post office, inquired about Government plans to coordinate banking hubs alongside Post Offices.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the importance of maintaining access to financial services through Post Office branches, particularly as bank branches decline.
Steffan Aquarone
Lib Dem
North Norfolk
Question
Highlighted frustration over insufficient banking service provision in rural hubs and suggested reviewing Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 for better access.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the importance of improving access to financial services through post offices, but noted limitations due to Treasury jurisdiction.
Ashley Fox
Con
Bridgwater
Question
Welcomed Government’s commitment to maintaining a minimum network size of 11,500 branches and asked about the new 50% requirement for full service branches.
Minister reply
Reassured the MP that all six geographical access criteria remain in place, guaranteeing access to fuller range of services.
Lisa Smart
Lib Dem
Hazel Grove
Question
Inquired about the future business model for Post Office branches, highlighting community reliance on physical post offices and the challenge of viability due to remuneration issues. Emphasised the need for a sustainable business model that ensures communities receive essential services.
Minister reply
Responded by outlining plans for central role in banking and financial services, experimenting with hub models, and investing in technological transformation to enhance customer experience and improve postmaster remuneration.
Helen Morgan
Lib Dem
North Shropshire
Question
Welcomed the Government's announcement on maintaining 11,500 branches but highlighted the loss of outreach services in her constituency due to a single postmistress’s retirement. Raised concerns about distance criteria and public transport inefficiencies affecting businesses.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the importance of the issue and emphasised the need for a wider strategy to support rural businesses, mentioning plans to improve postmaster remuneration through investment in transformation and encouraging new generations to take up roles as postmasters.
Shadow Comment
Harriett Baldwin
Shadow Comment
The Shadow welcomed the Government's decision to maintain the minimum network size of 11,500 branches but criticised the proposed tax hikes that would burden post offices. She questioned the requirement for at least 50% of the network to be full-time and full-service, asking what services will be provided by the remaining 29%. The Shadow asked if small rural branches could consolidate under this new mandate and requested more details on maintaining the current system after the first two years of funding. She inquired about specific agreements with banks regarding post office branches in areas where bank closures are occurring. Lastly, she sought clarification on Fujitsu’s financial contribution towards Post Office redress.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.