Post offices post-POCA

The Treasury Select Committee report issued this weekend calls for joined-up thinking on the post office network, and suggests the Treasury should develop a clear blueprint for the role of the post office with appropriate financial support.

The Committee calls for a cross-departmental approach to post office issues, indicating the importance of the post office to the government’s financial inclusion agenda. It also recommends that the Government work with Post Office Ltd to introduce a successor to the Post Office Card Account, offering greater functionality to maximise financial inclusion.

Postwatch is concerned about the impact of the withdrawal of the Card Account on the future viability of the network. When government consults within weeks on its preferred options for the network’s future, it is vital that we get a sustainable plan for our post office services. All government departments with an interest in the network should be working through the MISC 33 Cabinet Committee to ensure that we get a joined-up approach to providing and funding the UK’s future post office provision.