Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure everyone has free access to a secure postal address.

The Government recognises the importance of a secure postal address in accessing a number of services and expects essential service providers to consider how best to meet the needs of vulnerable users without an appropriate postal address.

The universal postal service is intended to provide an accessible postal service for all. Ofcom is currently carrying out a review of the future regulatory framework for post and its call for stakeholders’ views on the accessibility of USO postal services, particularly for vulnerable people and those who may be more reliant on postal services, closed on 20 May 2021. Ofcom intends to publish a full consultation on the future regulation of postal services later this year, before concluding its review in 2022.

Currently, Royal Mail operates two services to help vulnerable customers have access to their post. Its redirection service can be specially accessed by people with personal safety concerns and its PO Box service provides options for customers designed to meet specific circumstances and preferences.