Post Office could bring in three changes for all UK branches in shake-up

The Post Office has laid out a series of potential policy reforms to the Labour Party government to help grow its revenue streams.

The Post Office is proposing a shake-up across its branches which would let customers use it for pharmacy prescription collection, digital ID and business advice.

The Post Office has laid out a series of potential policy reforms to the Labour Party government to help grow its revenue streams. The Post Office said it was important to “maintain nationwide coverage” and its 11,500-strong branch requirement.

The company said in its reform proposal that it was seeking a “flexible policy framework” so that its network of branches can “evolve” as consumer demands change.

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It also called for the Government to “make post offices the trusted place for essential government services, like digital ID or pharmacy prescription collection”.

They suggested ministers “explore tailored business rates relief”. Neil Brocklehurst, Post Office chief executive, said: “Post Office has been part of the everyday fabric of British life for almost 400 years. But we cannot afford to stand still.

“Digital technologies have transformed how we shop, transact and communicate.

“And like any modern retailer, we must evolve to meet customer demand and sell the products and services which will drive revenue for the postmasters and partners who operate our branch network.

“I look forward to working with our postmasters, partners, customers and government as we continue to transform this vital organisation, and I’m confident we will see a strong and vibrant Post Office network across the UK for decades to come.”

It comes amid reports ministers are to consider handing over ownership of the Post Office to its operators after the Horizon IT scandal.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has published a green paper, starting the first big review of the scandal-plagued organisation in 15 years.

The review, which will run until 6 October, follows the publication last week of the first part of the findings from a two-year public inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal.