06 June 2008
MPs have warned of a 'public outcry' if local post office services are scaled back even further than already planned.
Up to 2,500 sub-post offices are to be closed under the 'network change programme' announced in February. But the business, enterprise and regulatory reform select committee fears even more outlets could be shut down if commercial considerations are allowed to hold sway over community needs.
The committee's June 2 report notes that while ministers have made it clear they have no desire to see the network cut beyond 11,500 outlets, Post Office Ltd has said it is neither possible nor desirable to set a minimum number.
Committee chair Peter Luff said: 'It is essential that the government and Post Office Ltd are singing from the same hymn sheet to eradicate doubts that there will be further closures after 2011.' He added that the government could not shirk its responsibility for ensuring the future Post Office network met the public's needs and warned that the committee would return to the issue in future.
The committee also criticised Post Office Ltd for a lack of clarity over its finances. Luff said it was 'unacceptable' that a subsidiary of a company owned by the government was not financially transparent.
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