More than 2,500 post offices are set to close in one year unless ministers intervene
A blistering report warns that the Post Office network is 'beyond tipping point'
MORE THAN 2,500 post offices will be wiped out within a year unless ministers intervene, a trade body is warning.
Business Secretary Greg Clark was last night told communities across the UK face “catastrophe” without Government action.
In a blistering report, the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) warns that the Post Office network is “beyond tipping point” and urgent support is required to keep almost one in four branches going.
The Federation says a “digital” first approach by ministers means that revenue from providing Government services such as DVLA forms has collapsed from £576 million in 2005 to just £99 million in 2018.
And it says Royal Mail appears more interested in dealing directly with the public over the web than supporting the network.
Some 98 per cent of Post Offices are run by franchisees or ‘SubPostmasters’, with many vital for smaller towns or villages. There are 9,300 branches employing approximately 40,000 people.
'BEYOND TIPPING POINT'
Calum Greenhow, NFSP chief said: “The viability of sub post offices and the morale of sub postmasters has been eroded to the extent that the network’s resilience is extremely limited.
“We believe a tipping point has been passed and the consequences of this are now being realised.”
He added: “SubPostmasters are resigning in high numbers because it is increasingly difficult to make a decent living.
“The closure of 2,500 post offices in a year would be a catastrophic loss to communities across the UK.”
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The warning comes amid growing fears over the future of Britain’s high streets. Some 100,000 high street jobs are expected to go as shops close this year.
The NFSP said its members were increasingly important to villages and neighbourhoods as banks shut more branches.
A survey last month found that 76 per cent of Sub Postmasters are earning less than the hourly national minimum wage for the work they do. On average, they have been working in the role for 12 years.
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