Government response to future of post offices report

• Government Response: Post Offices: Securing their Future
• Report: Post Offices: Securing their Future
• Business, Innovation and Skills Committee

Whilst the Committee welcomes the Government’s view that the provision of banking services by the Post Office should be a priority, it notes that the Response does not set out in detail how it intends to pursue this objective.

The Committee therefore calls for clarity on the Government’s intentions in this area, to assist the Committee in understanding how those banking services will be developed. The Committee asks the Department to expand, in writing, on this part of its Response, or to invite Post Office Ltd to do so on its behalf.

Peter Luff, Committee Chairman commented:

"While we welcome the positive response of the Government to our Report, we are seeking more clarity on how BIS and the Post Office are going to develop banking services delivered through the network.

"We heard compelling evidence throughout our inquiry that the Post Office is in a unique position to increase banking provision for communities and small businesses throughout the UK. We agree that Post Office Ltd must exploit this potential more fully.

"If, as the Response says, the Government also agrees this is a priority, then it, or the Post Office, must spell out urgently not just the extra services that need to be provided but also which of the competing banking models it intends to pursue."