Post Offices Consultation

Overview

Our response to the Government's consultation on the future of the post office network

We're pleased the Government has recognised the important social and economic role of post offices. We also welcome the commitment to continue with a new Post Office Card Account after 2010, that it will be available nationally, and that customers will be eligible for the account on the same basis as they are now.   


However, our more detailed response covered our concerns about:

  • recognition of the needs of vulnerable groups and small businesses in rural areas
  • continuing the avoidable closures policy until  an agreed and workable strategy is in place
  • access criteria
  • how local/area consultation is carried out and the suggested timescale

 

What we've been doing

Post office key stakeholder event - 25 January 2007

We invited a range of key stakeholders to share views on the proposals within the consultation, particularly on how they are likely to affect rural areas; to share any plans they might have for research or awareness raising during the consultation period; and to identify areas where we could work together.

Focus groups

During February 2007, we held focus groups in Dorset, Cumbria, Suffolk and Shropshire.  We wanted to hear the views of people in rural areas. Our research tells us that rural post offices are particularly important to older people and to small businesses and the self-employed.  We used two of these meetings to examine the impact of change on these two groups. The discussion helped inform our response to the Government's consultation and raise awareness of the issues at local level.