Up to 9,360 post offices around the UK could close if the country’s government carries out itsplan to sell Royal Mail and end the business agreement with the Post Office, a recent poll of
sub-postmasters commissioned by the Communication Workers Union shows.According to the poll by the UK postal union, 92% of the 800 sub-postmasters and mistressessurveyed believe that they could not survive without the Royal Mail business. But the currentPostal Services Bill does not include this vital link, CWU claimed.
In addition, 89% of sub-postmasters and mistresses surveyed said they would be unlikely tocontinue to run their post office under government plans to roll-out a ‘Post Office Local’ modelwhich means a Post Office franchise offering minimum services with a 55% income reduction. On thisbasis, 9,054 post offices would close nationwide.
Following the government’s removal of the £400 million ‘green giro’ contract, 90% said they haveno confidence in the government to return services to the Post Office.
Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: “These figures clearly demonstrate the fears ofsub-postmasters and mistresses about the fate of our cherished post office network. Based on theseprojections, the post office network faces a greater threat than anyone previously dared believe.Even the warnings of postal watchdog Consumer Focus – which warned last month that 2,000 officescould close under the Post Office Locals plan – fall short.”
“Through the privatisation of Royal Mail, refusal to guarantee business and the removal ofgovernment contracts, the government is failing post offices. It must listen to the opinions ofthose who work in the Post Office and decide whether the threat of mass closures is something itwants on its hands. Sub-postmasters will vote with their feet if the erosion of services andsupport continues and that will have a devastating impact on communities across the country,” Hayesadded.
The poll of 800 sub-postmasters was conducted on behalf of CWU by The Campaign Company (TCC) atthe end of April.
The Consumer Focus report ‘Local but Limited?’ also published in April found severe shortcomingsin the Post Office Local model and warned that it could lead to 2,000 Post Office closures.
There are currently 11,905 post offices across the UK, of which 10,174 are ‘sub-postoffices’.
