NALC welcomes £483 million investment to support the future of the Post Office network

We have welcomed the government's decision to retain a minimum of 11,500 Post Office branches and maintain the existing geographical access criteria. This commitment will help ensure that communities across the UK continue to benefit from essential Post Office services.

We also support the government's expectation that at least half of the network will remain full-time, full-service branches, alongside a clear commitment that all branches provide a reliable service for customers.

The government has further confirmed that it will invest up to £483 million over the next two years to support the long-term sustainability of the Post Office network. This funding will help support several initiatives, including the development of a new customer-facing app aimed at improving the experience for people using Post Office services.

The announcement was published on 25 February as part of the government's response to its consultation on the future of the Post Office network.

In our response to the consultation, we called for the government to provide ongoing and realistic revenue support to help secure the long-term future of the network. We highlighted that local Post Office branches remain a vital part of community life, particularly in rural areas. We stressed the importance of effective promotion of Post Office services, ensuring residents are aware of the hubs and services available in their local areas. We also highlighted the importance of maintaining flexibility and competition in postal services, ensuring people in remote and parished areas can continue to receive mail and parcels from a range of providers.

With around 70% of parish and town councils located in rural communities, it is essential that councils, and the residents and businesses they serve, have access to reliable and consistent Post Office services.