The Government has announced that a network of postmasters as well as the public will have the opportunity to shape the future of the Post Office for the first time in 15 years.
The Post Office Green Paper will “move further and faster to deliver a decade of renewal for customers and postmasters, building on the cultural reset being led by Post Office Chair Nigel Railton that will be so crucial to its success,” the report said.
It adds it will ensure the network is put on a path to a strong and sustainable future with Post Office branches remaining at the heart of communities across the UK.
This includes on the Post Office’s ownership model, with concepts including mutualisation on the table for consideration following the publication of the final Horizon Inquiry report later this year.
The report is expected to provide recommendations on improving the structure of the Post Office so that this miscarriage of justice is never allowed to occur again, protecting postmasters and also providing reassurance for customers.
This follows a period in which the Post Office has faced a series of major challenges, from the Horizon IT scandal itself to significant changes in consumer behaviour, such as a rise in online shopping and falling demand for traditional post services.
“After fifteen years without a proper review, and in the aftermath of the Horizon scandal, it’s clear we need a fresh vision for its future.”
Post Office Minister, Gareth Thomas (right), said: “Post Offices continue to be a central part of our high streets and communities across the country. However, after fifteen years without a proper review, and in the aftermath of the Horizon scandal, it’s clear we need a fresh vision for its future.
“I look forward to hearing the views of customers, business owners and postmasters so we can build a Post Office capable of serving the public for generations to come.”
The consultation will run for 12 weeks, closing on 6 October. It will examine key areas including how services should evolve to meet changing consumer needs, ways to strengthen the relationship between the Post Office and its postmasters, options for modernising the network while ensuring services remain within local reach as well as how the Post Office can improve and develop the banking services it provides
Research published alongside the Green Paper today also highlights the important role the Post Office still plays in the daily lives of people and businesses, adding social value of around £5.2 billion per year to households and £1.3 billion annually to small and medium sized businesses.
Ministers have also announced plans to award a new subsidy package of up to £118 million to fund the Post Office’s Transformation Plan and further investment to improve the network.
This funding will protect key services including access to cash deposits and withdrawals, as well as key government services such as passport applications and the DVLA, alongside helping deliver cost-saving measures, it said.
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