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Post Office network protected for the future, with the
Government maintaining the minimum requirement of
11,500 branches.
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New commitment introduced that over half of all branches must
be full-time and full-service.
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Over £480 million to transform the Post Office
into a modern, efficient business while preserving its vital
role in communities.
The long-term future of community post offices has
been secured today
as Government confirmed plans to retain the number
of branches serving millions of loyal customers across the
country.
In its response to the Post Office Green Paper, a review
launched last year to assess the future of the Post
Office, Ministers have maintained the existing
minimum requirement of 11,500 branches.
This will ensure local communities across the
UK retain access to the vital services Post Offices
provide, such as sending and receiving parcels, banking
and ID renewals, and follows fierce campaigning to
protect the much-loved high street staples.
In a further boost to locals and small businesses, a
new requirement will be introduced that ensures a
minimum number of full-time, full-service branches,
guaranteeing a high-quality and more consistent service
for customers.
Post Office Minister said:
Post offices at the heart of
our communities have delivered invaluable
services on high streets across the country for decades.
Protecting branches has always been our
priority. I am proud to confirm the
network will be safeguarded for the future and that the Post
Office will have the certainty to implement its transformation
plan.
I would like to thank the postmasters and everyone who
responded to the Green Paper – your contributions have helped
shape the Post Office for generations to come.
Neil Brocklehurst, Post Office Chief Executive,
said:
The Government's Green Paper response provides direction for our
network and recognises the essential in-person services our
postmasters and partners offer to make everyday life easier for
communities across the UK.
The Government's investment is also a vote of confidence in Post
Office's transformation. It means we can continue to upgrade
branches and their technology to provide the modern and efficient
retail experience which our customers expect from their local
post office.
We will continue to work closely with postmasters, partners and
Government throughout Post Office's transformation and, with the
right conditions, I'm confident we will see a thriving Post
Office network across the UK for generations to come.
To support the transformation of the Post Office into a
modern, efficient business, the Government will be making a
significant investment of £483 million over the next two
years.
This includes funding to modernise
branches with new technology such as
self-service devices and to improve delivery
of products and services to better the customer
experience. This funding will also enable a major
technology transformation programme that will
transition operations away from Fujitsu and
ultimately assist with the long overdue replacement
of the Horizon system.
Recognising the unique role that the Post Office
plays in British life and the lifeline it
provides, today's announcement underlines the Government's
determination to protect that role and give the Post Office the
stability it needs to plan for the future.
In addition to upgrading and protecting services, a further £37.4
million will be provided to assist the Post Office in delivering
redress to victims of the Horizon scandal and participating
in the final stages of the Horizon
IT Inquiry. This drives forward the
Government's long-standing commitment to ensure that
all those who suffered as a result
of this miscarriage of justice receive the
compensation and support they deserve.
