Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with Morrisons on its reported plans to close 100 Morrisons Daily stores, including the store on Edinburgh Road in Jarrow; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of those closures on workers, high streets and access to essential retail services in affected communities.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
While this is a commercial decision for Morrisons, we understand that this will be a concerning time for workers and their families. A broad range of support is available for those affected, including through Jobcentre Plus and the Rapid Response Service. Acas can also provide employees and employers with free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice.
We remain committed to supporting thriving high streets and have introduced permanently lower business‑rates multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure properties, introduced a £4.3 billion transitional support package protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation, and are bringing forward a new High Streets Strategy, to help reinvigorate our communities.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Post Office Ltd’s franchising model in maintaining community access to Post Office services where branches are located within retail premises that subsequently close; and what discussions he has had with Post Office Ltd on the proposed closure of Edinburgh Road Post Office in Jarrow following the proposed closure of the Morrisons Daily store in which it is located.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government recognises the impact that post office and retail closures can have on employees, communities and access to essential services. The proposed closure of certain Morrisons stores is a commercial decision by the retailer rather than Post Office Limited.
My officials are in close contact with Post Office Limited to ensure it continues to meet the Government’s network requirements. Post Office Limited has indicated it will locally advertise the opportunity for a replacement branch for all affected branches, including in Jarrow.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of Royal Mail’s proposed stamp price increases on magazine publishers.
Answered by Justin Madders
The Government does not have a role in Royal Mail’s commercial decisions, including the prices of stamps and other services.
In setting its prices, Royal Mail must observe the regulatory framework set by Ofcom which imposes price controls, ‘safeguard caps’, on certain second-class products to ensure a basic universal service is available to all at affordable prices.
Information on Ofcom’s decisions regarding retail price caps on Royal Mail’s universal postal services to apply from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027 is available on its website: www.ofcom.org.uk/post/deliveries-and-charges/consultation-review-of-second-class-safeguard-caps-2024.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of changes to Royal Mail’s universal service obligation on magazine publishers.
Answered by Justin Madders
Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, is responsible for ensuring the provision of a financially sustainable and efficient universal postal service that meets users’ needs.
Ofcom’s statement of 5 September set out potential reforms to the universal service obligation and its plans to carry out further in-depth research among postal users. Ofcom expects to publish any proposals for public consultation in early 2025, which will provide an opportunity for interested parties (including magazine publishers) to contribute their views. More information is available on Ofcom’s website: www.ofcom.org.uk/post/royal-mail/securing-the-future-of-the-universal-postal-service.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will ensure that second-class Saturday deliveries remain part of the Universal Service Obligation for Royal Mail.
Answered by Justin Madders
Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, is responsible for ensuring the provision of a financially sustainable and efficient universal postal service that meets users’ needs.
Ofcom’s statement of 5 September set out potential reforms to the universal service obligation and its plans to carry out further in-depth research among postal users. Ofcom expects to publish any proposals for public consultation in early 2025, which will provide an opportunity for interested parties (including magazine publishers) to contribute their views. More information is available on Ofcom’s website: www.ofcom.org.uk/post/royal-mail/securing-the-future-of-the-universal-postal-service.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions she has had with (a) Ofcom and (b) Royal Mail on the potential implications for her Department's policies of Royal Mail's failure to meet the universal service obligation.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Minister without Portfolio
The Government’s objective continues to be ensuring the provision of a sustainable, accessible, and affordable universal postal service.
It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to set and monitor Royal Mail’s service standards and decide how to use its powers to investigate and take enforcement action where there are reasonable grounds for Royal Mail failing to achieve its obligations.
Following its investigation into quality of service performance for 2022-23, Ofcom imposed a £5.6 million fine on Royal Mail for contravening its service conditions. Ofcom has committed to closely monitoring Royal Mail’s performance and the steps it is taking to return delivery offices to pre-pandemic practices.