Consultation published

The DTI have finally published the consultation paper which can be found here:-

http://www.dti.gov.uk/consultations/page36024.html

Post Office Network Consultation

Starting Date: 14-12-06
Closing Date: 08-03-07

Post offices play an important social and economic role in the communities they serve. But with new technology, changing lifestyles and wider choice in how services are accessed, people are visiting post offices less. Post Office Ltd’s losses have risen to almost £4 million a week this year and the network of post offices is unsustainable in its present form.

However, the Government considers it a priority to maintain a national Post Office network with national coverage and is seeking views on its proposals to achieve this. In particular, the consultation seeks view on:

The Government’s proposals to introduce national access criteria for access to Post Office services.

The proposal to include particular criteria to help safeguard access to Post Office services in deprived urban and rural areas.

Proposals for innovative ways of maintaining service to small and remote communities by extending the use of Outreach arrangements.

Suggestions as to how services might be better delivered through the Post Office network.

I would urge anyone interested in this issue to respond to the consultation. THE CLOSING DATE IS 8 MARCH 2007