Rural communities waiting for a post office strategyRural communities waiting for a post office strategyRural communities waiting for a post office strategy

However, Postwatch is concerned that the long-awaited DTI consultation, setting out the government’s vision for how rural post office services will in future be delivered and funded, is being delayed. This delay feeds the growing uncertainty for rural citizens and will also cause concern to subpostmasters, which affects investment and lowers morale.

Millie Banerjee, Chair of Postwatch, welcoming the recent announcements said: “Finding a solution to the rural post office problem is not going to be easy and hinges on finding a way to reflect the social value of the post office network. However difficult, it is essential a long-term solution is developed urgently. The Post Office report is a welcome contribution to the debate that should produce the agreed way forward.

“The DTI’s response to extend the no avoidable closures policy is also welcome, but why only until the autumn? Why not until the ‘rural solution’ has been defined, consulted on and implemented? An extension to the autumn looks like a sticking plaster, when the patient needs surgery.

“There are several government departments that have an interest in what will happen to rural post office services. DTI needs to urgently get them together to thrash out a general agreement. It then needs to publish, without further delay, a timetable and keep to it. I urge them to give this issue the priority rural communities deserve.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Postwatch is the watchdog for UK postal services. For more information visit

www.postwatch.co.uk/

2. At the end of December 2005 there were 7,976 rural Post Offices in the UK.

These were distributed between the four home countries as follows:

• England: 5, 594

• Northern Ireland: 389

• Scotland: 1,132; and