Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Post Office Branch Closures

Wednesday 29 November 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions have occurred on the impact of post office branch closures on Government services in Scotland.
  • The UK Government provided up to 2.4 billion over the last decade to support the post office network.
  • The Minister agrees that encouraging the Scottish Government to use post offices for service delivery is a good idea.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Scotland Local Government
Context

The closure of post offices in Scotland is a concern as it affects the delivery of government services. There have been discussions about the support provided by the UK Government to the post office network.

Question

What discussions has he had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of post office branch closures on the delivery of Government services in Scotland?

Answer from John Lamont

The United Kingdom Government continue to provide significant support to the national post office network, adding up to £2.4 billion over the last 10 years. This funding enabled 98% of individuals in rural areas to live within three miles of their nearest post office in 2022, with the overall network as large today as it has been for five years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about discussions on impacts and measures regarding closures but the answer focused on general support provided over a long period without addressing current discussions or specific actions to mitigate impact of recent closures in Scotland.

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Q2 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Rural communities rely heavily on the post office for various government services. The question is about encouraging the Scottish Government to provide as many services via the post office network, similar to what the UK Government does.

Question

Our rural branches of the post office are at the very core, the very heart, of our rural communities. At present, His Majesty's Government provide certain services to the public via the post office network. Does the Minister agree that it would be a good notion to encourage the Scottish Government to go down the same route and provide as many services as possible in that way, thus ensuring the future of those branches?

Answer from John Lamont

I agree with the hon. Member. I recognise the vital importance of post offices for constituents in rural communities such as his own and also in my own constituency in the Scottish Borders. It is of course for the Scottish Government to assess how to make their services available to people across Scotland, considering accessibility as well as value for money for the taxpayer.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledges the importance but does not provide specific plans or commitments on encouraging the Scottish Government to utilise post offices similarly.

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Q3 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Business & Trade Local Government
Context

There have been closures of post offices in Scotland, affecting access to government services. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency services are due to cease being available at post offices by the end of next March.

Question

Scotland has seen the closure of 40 post offices in the past two years, yet as the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross (Jamie Stone) pointed out, the communities that still have post offices are losing access to Government services, particularly in rural areas. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency services are due to cease being available at post offices from the end of next March. What conversations has the Minister had with the Department for Business and Trade about keeping DVLA services available from post offices?

Answer from John Lamont

I should start by correcting the hon. Gentleman in that the post office network is not in decline. More post offices have been opened than closed over the past year. We do see fluctuations in different parts of the country, with many postmasters running a franchise business in their own right. Many face the same challenges as other high street businesses. The DVLA and the Post Office extended their contract until 31 March 2024.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about conversations regarding maintaining DVLA services, but the answer provided general information on post office network status without addressing specific discussions or actions taken with respect to the DVLA.

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