More than 150 post offices have been closed in the UK this year, according to the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which has warned the Postal Services Bill will “endanger” the entire network.
CWU research shows over 150 sub-post offices have been listed as “long-term temporary closures” this year alone. Many are likely to stay closed indefinitely and those that do reopen will often do so with a diminished service.
Many sub-postmasters are retiring or leaving the business because of the low levels of revenue generated in sub-offices.
CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said: “We’re seriously concerned that despite popular speeches by Vince Cable giving promises that no post offices will close, this Government is failing to protect the post office network. Post offices are closing at an alarming rate but don’t register until it’s too late because they are misleadingly classed as temporary closures.
“Post offices rely on work generated by mail business and most would be unsustainable if this was removed. Many of the proposals in the Postal Services Bill, including privatisation of Royal Mail and splitting the postal group apart, seriously threaten mails business arrangements for the Post Office. This needs to be changed before the committee stage of the Bill comes to an end.”
