Future of Post Office

SNP MSP Bill Walker has expressed concern over the UK Government’s written statement, released yesterday, about the future of the Post Office network.

Mr Walker, MSP for Dunfermline, said: “A ten-year contact between Royal Mail and the Post Office is welcome news indeed and will bring some stability, but the statement has left sufficient concerns over the future of the postal network.

“We’re assured there are over 11,500 Post Offices, but sub Post Offices are still closing and often being replaced by limited outreach services. Many rural Post Offices offer a reduced range of services, while others are being replaced by outreach services. People in rural areas are too often missing out on services.”

He added: “The statement reiterates the UK Government’s claim that the Post Office is to be a front office for government, but the DWP has contracted externally rather than continue through the Post Office.

“The UK Government needs to ensure the Post Office network can thrive and that rural communities are not suffering from lack of a service.”