Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions she has had with (a) Post Office Ltd and (b) Royal Mail on the potential impact of the withdrawal of Mailwork contracts on the viability of post offices.

Government is aware of concerns around the impact removing Mailworks could have on individual post office branches and understands Post Office Limited has raised these concerns directly with Royal Mail.

Mailworks contracts are commercial matters for both companies and Government has no involvement in these matters. There would be a six-month notice period if Royal Mail were to decide to remove a Mailworks contract. Post Office would continue to work closely with an affected postmaster if notice were given.

The Government-set Access Criteria ensures that 99% of the population will continue to live within three miles of a post office.