Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Treharris: Restoration of Post Office Services — [Mr Laurence Robertson in the Chair]

23 March 2022 · 0 other contributors · 2,907 words

Opened by Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare

Responding minister: Paul Scully

TransportLocal Government

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Gerald Jones raised concerns about treharris: restoration of post office services — [mr laurence robertson in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Almost half of all adults visit a post office at least once a month.
  • The Treharris community has lacked post office services for three years, affecting over 8,000 people and multiple businesses.
  • Post Office Ltd has not made efforts to restore services despite parties expressing interest in operating a branch.

Key requests to Government

I ask the Government to do all in their power to ensure that the service is restored to Treharris post office as quickly as possible and provide reassurance regarding any future changes from temporary closure to permanent ones being subject to full community consultation.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare

Almost half of all adults visit a post office at least once a month, but the community of Treharris has not had access to such services since the local branch closed three years ago. The closure affects over 8,000 people and multiple businesses that relied on it. Several parties have expressed interest in operating a service, yet no effort has been made by Post Office Ltd to restore a post office branch. Citizens Advice reported that nearly twice as many post offices were temporarily closed as five years prior, with more than eight out of ten closures lasting over a year.

Government Response

Paul Scully

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Robertson, and I congratulate the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney on securing today's important debate. Post offices play a crucial role in communities and for small businesses around the United Kingdom, with more than 11,500 branches, and over £2.5 billion has been provided to support the post office network over the past decade. Since 2019, an annual subsidy of £50 million a year has been maintained until 2025. Post offices were essential during the pandemic, maintaining services for vulnerable communities. The Government are committed to ensuring that 99% of the UK population is within 3 miles of a post office outlet and 90% within 1 mile. In Treharris, where the post office has been closed for nearly three years, the Minister understands the frustration but acknowledges Post Office Ltd's decision based on commercial viability. The Minister will continue to monitor network numbers in the hon. Member's area and engage with Post Office to reclassify branches classed as temporarily closed. Outreach services are an important means of maintaining access, though bricks-and-mortar shops remain preferred for convenience and social value. The retail sector has undergone significant changes accelerated by covid-19, and the Government continue to explore new business opportunities to support high streets across the UK. Post offices will need to keep up with consumer demands, such as click and collect services now offered in over 3,100 branches. In conclusion, the Minister is committed to safeguarding the post office network and ensuring it continues to serve constituencies for many years to come.

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