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Ministers have confirmed that all 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK will be retained, following a period of uncertainty and public concern over potential closures.
The decision reverses an earlier proposal outlined in a government green paper last summer, which had suggested removing the 11,500-minimum branch requirement for the state-owned postal, banking, and retail service.
Intense public campaigning to protect the Post Office network, alongside a robust submission from the company itself emphasising the importance of maintaining nationwide coverage, influenced the government’s final stance.
Ministers explicitly acknowledged the vital role these stores play in supporting struggling UK high streets.
To further enhance customer experience and ensure a more reliable offering, a new mandate will require over half of all branches to operate as full-time, full-service outlets, aiming to deliver a more consistent service across the network.
Post Office minister Blair McDougall said: “Post offices at the heart of our communities have delivered invaluable services on high streets across the country for decades.
“Protecting branches has always been our priority. I am proud to confirm the network will be safeguarded for the future and that the Post Office will have the certainty to implement its transformation plan.
“I would like to thank the postmasters and everyone who responded to the green paper – your contributions have helped shape the Post Office for generations to come.”
The Post Office will retain all of its 11,500 branches across the UK, ministers have confirmed after a review had raised concerns over counters closing (Getty Images)
A £483 million investment will also be made over the next two years in modernising the Post Office, including by installing more self-service devices.
It will also support the transition away from the Fujitsu Horizon system which caused the scandal in which hundreds of subpostmasters were wrongfully convicted.
The funding represented “a vote of confidence in Post Office’s transformation”, chief executive Neil Brocklehurst said.
“It means we can continue to upgrade branches and their technology to provide the modern and efficient retail experience which our customers expect from their local post office.
“We will continue to work closely with postmasters, partners and Government throughout Post Office’s transformation and, with the right conditions, I’m confident we will see a thriving Post Office network across the UK for generations to come.”
A £483 million investment will also be made over the next two years in modernising the Post Office, including by installing more self-service devices (Getty Images)
Tory shadow business minister Dame Harriett Baldwin said: “This U-turn is a victory for local communities and the over 180,000 people who backed the Conservative Party’s campaign petition to save Britain’s Post Offices.
“Post Offices are far more than a place to send letters – they offer key services for local businesses, help those not online access Government services, and help to keep our high streets alive.
“However, this important victory will be hollow if Labour’s devastating jobs tax, astronomical business rate hikes, and mountains of red tape are still pushing Post Offices to the brink.”
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