Post Office branch closures ruled out under major government plans
Ministers have confirmed that all 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK will be retained following uncertainty and public concern about possible closures.
The decision reverses an earlier proposal outlined in the government’s green paper last summer, which proposed removing the minimum 11,500 branch requirement for state-owned postal, banking and retail services.
The intense public campaign to protect the post office network and the company’s strong statement emphasizing the importance of maintaining nationwide coverage influenced the government’s final stance.
Ministers have publicly acknowledged the vital role these stores play in supporting struggling high streets across the UK.
To further improve the customer experience and deliver a more reliable offer, a new mandate will require more than half of all branches to operate as full-time, full-service outlets, aiming to provide a more consistent service across the network.
Post office minister Blair McDougall said: “Located at the heart of our communities, post offices have provided invaluable services on high streets across the country for decades.
“Protecting branches has always been our priority. I am proud to confirm that the network will be maintained in the future and will ensure the Post Office delivers on its transformation plan.”
“I would like to thank postmasters and everyone who responded to the green document – your contributions have helped shape the Post Office for generations to come.”
A £483 million investment will be made to modernize the Post Office over the next two years, including installing more self-service devices.
It would also support a move away from the Fujitsu Horizon system, which caused the scandal in which hundreds of sub-postmasters were wrongly convicted.
Chief executive Neil Brocklehurst said the funding represented “a vote of confidence in the transformation of the Post Office”.
“This means we can continue to develop branches and their technology to provide the modern and efficient retail experience our customers expect from their local post office.
“We will continue to work closely with postmasters, partners and the Government throughout the transformation of the Post Office, and I am confident that with the right conditions we will see a thriving Post Office network across the UK for generations to come.”
Tory shadow affairs minister Dame Harriett Baldwin said: “This U-turn is a victory for local communities and the more than 180,000 people who backed the Conservative Party’s campaign petition to save Britain’s Post Offices.
“Post offices are much more than a place to send letters – they provide essential services for local businesses, help those without online access Government services and help keep our high streets vibrant.
“However, this landmark victory will be hollow if Labour’s devastating jobs tax, astronomical business rates rises and mountains of red tape are still pushing Post Offices to the brink.”
