Recently I have been visiting Post Offices in Central Devon and hearing about the impact of the closure of rural sorting offices.
Our Sub-postmasters and Sub-postmistresses are also telling me that it is becoming increasingly challenging to operate their business whilst managing inflationary pressures and increased energy costs since the pandemic.
Post Offices are more than just a place to buy a stamp, in villages they are often a lifeline for older people and the only place they can pay their bills or do their banking. That’s why protecting our Post Offices has always been a key issue for me.
Prior to my election as an MP, I ran a campaign across Central Devon securing 14,000 signatories for a petition to save our rural Post Offices, which were in danger of being closed under the last Labour Government's Post Office closure programme.
Over the years I have also run several 'Use it or Lose it' campaigns for specific branches to encourage local communities to support their Post Offices.
When Barclays Bank was refusing to let their customers withdraw money at local post office branches, I made a speech in the House of Commons to highlight this issue. The next day Barclays reversed their decision - a victory for all Barclays customers in Central Devon who can now withdraw cash at their local Post Office rather than travel much further afield to their nearest Barclays branch.
There are now additional customer services that Post Office make available to local branches, such as becoming a drop off and collection point for various delivery companies or expanding the range of financial services on offer.
In light of the closure of several rural sorting offices in Central Devon, I would like to see Post Office working more closely with local branches to make sure they can access and implement these services, which could provide them with more long-term financial security.
Last summer the Government itself introduced a partnership with Post Office to provide an in-person service to support the roll-out of GOV.UK One Login. The scheme allows users to have just one account, one username, one password and one identity check to use many different Government services online.
This include accessing self-assessment tax returns, conducting a DBS check or applying for pension credit. Most people will be within 10 miles of a Post Office branch that is offering this service.
Recognising that online verification can be daunting for some people, the partnership with Post Office gives more people the confidence to use GOV.UK One Login and access the vital services they need.
There’s no doubt that keeping our Post Offices going when more and more of our lives take place online is challenging, but they remain vital for many, particular older, people in rural communities.
Keeping our Post Office branches in Central Devon open is something I have always been passionate about and I remain committed to supporting them in whichever way I can.
