MPs condemn Post Office management

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Trade and Industry Select Committee detailed a number of concerns about the postal network and called on the Government to do more to increase competitiveness, rather than just "managing decline".

The MPs called for a rethink on aspects of Post Office closure plans, adding that more time was needed to consult the public before a branch closed.

The report was published as the Royal Mail faced the threat of the first national strike by postal workers in more than a decade in a row over pay. The Communication Workers Union is threatening industrial action after its members overwhelmingly backed strikes after rejecting a 2.5% offer.

The select committee said the Government was placing more responsibility on the Post Office, "the very body that has consistently failed to show sufficient imagination or entrepreneurial flair in developing services so far, or properly to understand the realities of managing a network of often very small businesses".

The MPs said it was difficult to see how the profitability of the postal network can be significantly improved, adding: "Under its new management, Post Office Ltd seems to be awakening from its lethargy, but we think the Government has a responsibility to ensure that Royal Mail Group as a whole gives proper attention to increasing the competitiveness of the network rather than just managing its decline."

Committee chairman Peter Luff said: "The post office network cannot be left as it is, with low morale among sub postmasters and the likelihood of significant numbers of closures which leave gaps in provision.

"We therefore welcome the Government's determination to establish a comprehensive national network. However, we want that network to be sustainable, and we are yet to be convinced that either the Government or Post Office Ltd has thought through what to do in the event of future closures, and how to make post offices more profitable and less dependent on continued public subsidy.

"Without this, there is a real danger that we will be faced with an inadequate network within a few years."

Around 2,500 post offices are set to close by the end of next year under changes announced by the group.