Government to consult on the future of Post Office

The Department for Business and Trade has launched a national consultation – or “Green Paper” – on the future of Post Office.

A Green Paper is a Government consultation which invites feedback on an area of Government policy or legislative proposals.

Anyone, including members of the public, can respond to the Green Paper during the consultation period, which will run for 12 weeks to the deadline on 6 October.

Commenting on the Government’s Future of the Post Office Green Paper, Neil Brocklehurst, Post Office CEO, said: “We now have a once-in-a-decade opportunity to have a national conversation about the future of our post offices and their role in supporting communities across the UK. Post offices are the hub of the high street where postmasters provide the face-to-face services which so many people and small businesses value – withdrawing and depositing cash, sending and collecting parcels with a range of different carriers, and paying bills. This Government consultation is a vital part of shaping what the future of Post Office could, and should, look like.”

Dipesh Modha, postmaster at Edgware Road, said: “I'm very excited that the Government has launched this consultation to listen to postmasters' and the public's views on the future of Post Office. Post offices like mine in Edgware Road are at the heart of high streets in every part of the country, and millions of customers will continue to rely on our essential services in the decades ahead. We might not get this chance to let our voices be heard for a long time so standing still is not an option - we need to take action now. I ask my fellow postmasters to please respond to the Green Paper in the next couple of months."

This is the first time that the Government’s policy purpose and objectives for Post Office will have been reviewed comprehensively since 2010, making this Green Paper an important opportunity to shape the future of the business across important issues, including: