Postmasters welcome government commitment on networks' futur

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Sub-postmasters in Norfolk have welcomed a government commitment to safeguard the post office network, but have warned ministers must ensure they turn their words into actions.

Ed Davey, minister for business, innovation and skills, has pledged to work “night and day” to avoid another mass closure of post offices, as seen in 2008 when about 50 Norfolk post offices were lost as part of the nationwide “Network Change” programme.

He was responding to a question in the House of Commons from Norwich South MP Simon Wright, who asked the minister what plans he had to ensure the viability of the post office network.

Mr Davey replied: “We have been clear that we will ensure that post offices are allowed to offer a wide range of services in order to sustain the network. We are working with Post Office Ltd to develop new sources of revenue, including considering the case for a Post Office bank.”

Mr Wright fought closure plans as part of a community campaign, which helped save branches in Vauxhall Street and New Costessey.

He said: “I thank the minister for his response. He, like me, campaigned tooth and nail against the previous gov-ernment's mass post office closure programme, which proved so damaging to communities such as mine in Norwich South.

“Can my honourable friend give an assurance that over the next five years of this government he will do every-thing he can to make sure there is no further post office closure programme?”

Mr Davey replied: “I pay tribute to my honourable friend for the work he has done in his constituency campaigning against the closures proposed by the previous government.

“This government recognise the important social and economic role played by post offices in communities throughout the United Kingdom.

“That is why we have secured £180 million in the next financial year for the social network payment and why I give the house my commitment that I shall work night and day to avoid the mass closures of post offices that we saw under the previous government.”

The £180m in extra funding was announced before the last election by the Labour government as part of a major expansion of financial services offered by post offices in a bid to make them more sustainable.

After his question was answered, Mr Wright said: “I was quite reassured by the response that I got. The minister made it quite clear that the government plan to develop a wide range of services for the network and are looking at other sources of revenue and the potential for a 'post-bank'.

“I feel quite upbeat and quite confident that the government and department will be exploring ways of making post offices viable rather than the previous government's approach which was to manage decline.

“I was reassured that the minister and this government recognise the role post offices hold within communities. I feel the previous government hadn't recognised that wider role.”

John Smith, secretary of the Norwich and District branch of the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters, said: “It's good news in the sense that the government are looking at it positively.

“But we've heard words before - it's action we need. Some post offices are already struggling, and nearly two years after the closure programme a lot of what was promised still hasn't happened. Like most things involving politicians, it takes too long.”