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04/02/2010

NFSP welcomes new £1m post office fund in fight to safeguard network

Subpostmasters in Scotland today welcomed the Government’s announcement of a £1 million fund to support post offices as a “first step” in securing the network’s future.

The National Federation of Subpostmasters (NFSP) said the initiative, announced by the Finance Secretary within the Government’s budget proposals, could help secure the viability of some Scottish post offices but called on the government to publish further details on how the scheme would operate.

Mervyn Jones, NFSP Executive Officer for Scotland, said: “The NFSP welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to the post office network, and we are pleased to see ministers have taken on board the strong cross-party support for creating this scheme voiced during Christine Grahame MSP’s motion in parliament last week.”

Mr Jones, who is also subpostmaster at Sandbed Post Office in Hawick, added: “We remain deeply concerned about the future of the post office network in Scotland, which provides a trusted and vital lifeline to communities, in rural and urban areas alike. Many post offices are struggling to remain open as a result of increasing costs and reduced work.

“The network still has a long way to go to be confident for the future. However yesterday’s announcement of a new Post Office Diversification Fund is potentially an important first step along the road to the Scottish Government increasing its support for post offices and the vital services they provide to the public and small businesses throughout the country.”

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For more information contact Matt Adams at Cobb PR on 01323 416999.

Notes to Editors:

• The Scottish Government’s announcement follows the launch by the Welsh Assembly Government of a £4.5million, three year Post Office Diversification Fund in January 2009. The fund is open to all post offices in Wales.

• This followed the Welsh Assembly Government’s earlier £3.8 million Post Office Development Fund which ran from 2003 to 2006 and was available to post offices in the most isolated and deprived areas in Wales.

• The NFSP held ‘The Post Office Debate’, hosted by Christine Grahame MSP, in the Scottish Parliament on 17 November 2009. MSPs and subpostmasters from across Scotland debated the NFSP’s recommendations within its Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network report, including a call for the provision of grant funding for post offices.

29/01/2010

NFSP Response to Adam Crozier's Resignation

National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) General Secretary George Thomson said: “On behalf of the NFSP I would like to thank Adam for all the hard work and effort he has put in over the last seven years in turning around Royal Mail Group.

“We urge the government to make sure that his successor is committed to working for a sustainable future for the post office network; and to continue turning Royal Mail into a viable company, with the protection of the Universal Service at its heart.”

For more information, contact Matt Adams at Cobb PR on 01323 416999.

07/01/2010

NFSP Response to Alan Cook's Resignation

George Thomson, General Secretary of the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP), said: "On behalf of the NFSP, I would like to sincerely thank Alan Cook for his hard work and commitment during his time as Post Office Ltd's Managing Director. He has made significant strides in taking the company forward and we wish him all the best for the future.

"We look forward to working with his successor, who we hope will be given the full support from the government needed to continue the job of turning the post office network around and ensuring it has a genuinely sustainable future, to provide vital services to communities across the country."

For more information, contact Matt Adams at Cobb PR on 01323 416999.

02/12/2009

NFSP Statement on Post Office Financial Services Consultation

The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) has welcomed today’s government announcement of a public consultation on increasing financial services available at the Post Office as a potential step in the right direction, but expressed concern at the government’s ‘timid approach’.

NFSP General Secretary George Thomson said: “The NFSP welcomes proposals to create a current account and a children’s savings account, and to extend business banking at the Post Office. But we are disappointed at the government’s unnecessarily timid approach in failing to ask the public for its views on creating a state-backed Postbank at the Post Office.

“This appears to be a missed opportunity to support the network at relatively small cost to the public purse in view of the post office network’s potential to offer a trusted banking service in the heart of communities across the country, its existing infrastructure and people’s enthusiasm for the Post Office.

“Instead of seizing this opportunity, ministers seem determined to retain the current arrangement with the Bank of Ireland, which is failing to deliver for subpostmasters and Post Office customers.

“The NFSP believes the government should bring National Savings & Investments back into the Post Office and transfer the banking licence from one of the nationalised banks, to create a fully-fledged Postbank at the Post Office.

“The news of the consultation’s limited scope, coupled with its timing – with results set to be published just weeks before the General Election - leaves us wondering why ministers have chosen to take such a timid approach to yet another opportunity to commit to the post office network.

“Talk of the government handing over parts of Northern Rock and the other nationalised banks to the likes of Tesco and Virgin, while threatening to leave post offices with the crumbs, will do nothing to restore the public’s trust in the banking sector, and nothing to return local banking facilities to the heart of communities.”

For more information, contact Matt Adams at Cobb PR on 01323 416999.

16/11/2009

Subpostmasters Call On MSPs To Take Action As New Figures Reveal Drop in Post Office Incomes

Hundreds of post offices across Scotland are still struggling to survive despite attempts to boost subpostmaster incomes, new figures warn.

A major survey by The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) shows how services designed to boost post office incomes are failing to deliver, with many subpostmasters being forced to live on pensions and savings.

News of the findings comes as the NFSP prepares for a top-level debate on the future of the post office network in Edinburgh.

The ‘Post Office Debate’ on November 17 at the Scottish Parliament will be hosted by Christine Grahame MSP and chaired by journalist and broadcaster Keith Aitken, and will hear from a panel of speakers from Scotland’s four main political parties.

NFSP Executive Officers for Scotland Mervyn Jones and Andrew Gilhooly will also attend the meeting, together with subpostmasters from across Scotland and representatives from local authorities, business and consumer groups.

The meeting will address how devolved and local government in Scotland can better work with local post offices for mutual benefit and help ensure that the post office network has a sustainable and vibrant future.

It will also highlight how the network must be enabled to provide local access to vital banking and more government, mail and retail services to individuals and small businesses in urban and rural areas alike.

The debate will hear how a survey carried out by the NFSP earlier this year found that 76% of Scottish subpostmasters said their Post Office income has reduced or remained the same over the previous 12 months.

The survey into more than 110 subpostmaster salaries across Scotland reveals how 28% of subpostmasters saw a decrease in pay from their Post Office while 48% said it has remained the same. Meanwhile, the survey also found that 55% of subpostmasters had seen an increase in staff costs, while 64% experienced an increase in other overheads.

The vast majority of those surveyed earned nothing from core Post Office products such as credit cards, home insurance and car insurance. The average monthly personal drawings from Post Office pay was £828 with 19% found to take no salary at all from their post office.

The NFSP is calling on the Scottish Government and local councils across the country to help prevent further post office closures by providing support and putting more services through the post office network.

Mervyn Jones said: “We hope that the outcome of our Post Office Debate on November 17 will be clear consensus among policy makers and opinion formers on options available for closer working between devolved and local government and the post office network in Scotland.

“The current situation is not sustainable. Our survey clearly shows that the network is not out of the woods despite recent closure programmes and the livelihoods of subpostmasters remain at risk.

Mr Jones, who is also subpostmaster at Sandbed Post Office in Hawick, continued: “Unless new sources of income are urgently found for subpostmasters we will be facing further post office closures, depriving local communities of post office services and much-needed local retail.

Income streams collapsing
The NFSP survey shows how many of subpostmasters’ traditional income streams are collapsing, including income from bill payment and payments from processing state pensions and benefits.

A number of new services heralded as income generators for the future, including Post Office Financial Services, telephony products and home shopping mail transactions, are producing minimal levels of income for subpostmasters, and in many cases nothing at all.

Local retail threatened
The survey also highlights a serious threat to local retail in small communities across the country.

In total, 80% of post offices are run alongside another business, usually a shop, yet 62% of those surveyed said the attached business would “probably not” or “definitely not” remain open if the post office closed.

And 43% of subpostmasters said both their post office and attached business were experiencing reduced business in the current economic downturn.

Andrew Gilhooly said: “The post office network can once again be a thriving resource for communities across the Scotland, but only if local and devolved government provide tangible new work for the public to access at the Post Office.

“Tuesday’s debate at the Scottish Parliament is therefore an important opportunity for us to highlight how councils and the Scottish Government can provide the crucial support needed.”

For more information contact Matt Adams at Cobb PR on 01323 416999.

Note to editors:

The media are invited to report on The Post Office Debate which will be held on Tuesday 17 November 2009 from 6.45pm to 8pm in Committee Room 3 at the Scottish Parliament. Drinks and canapés will be available from 6pm.

12/11/2009

NFSP Response to Public Accounts Committee Report on Network Change

In response to the publication today of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee’s report on the Post Office Network Change Programme, the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) General Secretary George Thomson said:

“The aim of the Network Change programme was to create a sustainable post office network. But as the Committee’s report makes clear, this was dependent not only upon 2,500 closures but also on new services from central, devolved and local government being offered through post offices.

“The NFSP has been bitterly disappointed with ministers’ failure so far to champion the network and to make better use of its unrivalled levels of public trust and geographical reach as the natural home for many government services. Government departments and agencies and local authorities must think ‘Post Office first’ when awarding or renewing contracts for services.

“Recent research shows that post offices generate over £10 billion in ‘social benefit’ to the country as a whole. But unless the government takes urgent action to provide more services for the public and small businesses to access across our counters and to create a state-backed Postbank at the Post Office, not only will the Network Change Programme have failed, but it will signal the end of our much loved national network of post offices as we know it. Subpostmasters are struggling to keep their businesses open, and communities and businesses across the country will bear the brunt of future post office closures.”

For more information contact Matt Adams at Cobb PR on 01323 416999.

19/10/2009

NFSP brands “inadequate” government view on future of the Post Office a missed opportunity

Following the government’s response today to the House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee’s ‘Post Office – Securing Their Future’ report, the General Secretary of the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) George Thomson said:

“Subpostmasters across the country will be bitterly disappointed by the government’s inadequate response today to the Select Committee’s proposals, which represents a missed opportunity to revitalise our post office network. In setting out their reply to a report from a cross-party committee of MPs on how to safeguard the future of the network, ministers have failed to commit to measures which will help achieve this.”

“The reality on the ground is that many subpostmasters are struggling to survive and the post office network remains under severe strain, despite two nationwide closure programmes in seven years. Significant new volumes of work are necessary, in the form of more government services and a state-backed Postbank at the Post Office, to sustain a national network of 12,000 post offices.”

“Today’s response fails to build upon the Prime Minister’s announcement at last month’s Labour Conference on plans to expand Post Office banking services, with no routemap offered on how this could be brought about. The NFSP believes that a government-backed Postbank is urgently required, to help sustain post offices and to bring trusted, local banking back to the heart of our communities; and that this should be achieved by bringing National Savings and Investments (NS&I) back into Post Office Ltd and using the banking licence of one of the nationalised banks.”

“Similarly, on work from central, devolved and local government through post offices, the government’s response takes us no further forward by failing to announce any new services. The stark reality is that without the political will to make better use of the post office network and its unrivalled geographical reach and high levels of public trust as the natural home for more government and banking services, more post offices will be forced to close,
depriving communities and small businesses of a vital lifeline.”

For more information, contact Matt Adams at Cobb PR on 01323 416999.

29/09/2009

The NFSP welcomes Prime Minister Gordon Brown's commitment to developing banking services at the Post Office

The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) today welcomed Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s commitment to developing banking services at the Post Office, but said concrete plans must now be put in place to develop a full Postbank.

The NFSP leads the way in calling for the creation of a trusted British Postbank at the Post Office – both through bringing National Savings and Investments (NS&I) back into the Post Office with an enhanced portfolio of banking products, and the transfer of a banking licence from one of the recently nationalised banks to the Post Office.

Speaking after Mr Brown’s speech at the Labour Party Conference, NFSP General Secretary George Thomson said new powers must be given to Business Secretary Peter Mandelson to create the Postbank as soon as possible.

Mr Thomson said: “We welcome today’s comments by Prime Minister Gordon Brown that delivering banking services at the Post Office is crucial to the country’s economic recovery and that they should be available to local communities up and down the country.

“We say these services are also a vital step to creating a sustainable post office network for the future. Without this sustainability, many more offices may be forced to close.

“What we now need is bold and decisive action, not just words, to make the Postbank a reality. We need concrete proposals on how a Postbank will work, perhaps in line with the NFSP’s suggestions that the Government utilise the nationalised Northern Rock and its banking licence.

“We sincerely hope that today’s comments by Mr Brown are the beginning of a route map that will lead to the creation of a Postbank, but we need meat on the bones and the time to act is now.”

The call for a Postbank forms part of the NFSP’s Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network, launched earlier this year.

It warns that the post office network’s future remains at risk and says the time has come to maximise the network’s huge and currently underused potential to deliver a wide range of products and services to communities and small businesses across the UK.

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For more information, contact Matt Adams at Cobb PR on 01323 416999.

Note to editors:

Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network identifies a six-step action plan, detailed below:

Central government services – to increase the number of services available at the Post Office, to introduce a face to face service for all aspects of Government services, to give equal prominence to services at the Post Office, and to create a joined-up approach across Government departments.

Devolved and local government – to ensure local councils use the Post Office to deliver a wide range of local services, enabled by central co-ordinated support, to reject the unviable model of local authority ownership of local post offices, and for devolved government to provide rates relief and grant funding for post offices.

Banking and financial services – to urgently commit to the setting up of a Postbank at the Post Office (the report examines successful state-run postbanks in Europe), to increase the functionality of the Post Office card account (POCA), to allow full access to all UK high street bank accounts at the Post Office, and to create a comprehensive range of bill payment services.

Mail – to ensure Post Offices remain the hub for all social and business mail needs, to create opportunities for post offices to offer new mail services, and to protect 900 rural mailwork offices threatened by potential Royal Mail sorting and delivery office closures.

Network size and support – to ensure there are no more post office closures, to maintain the existing network through more work for subpostmasters, for Government to commit to renew its funding of the network and for central, devolved and local government to provide rates relief and grant funding.

11/09/2009

Public values Post Office services at £10bn – but government action required to safeguard network’s future

The NFSP has welcomed the publication of a new report which claims the social value of the post office network has been measured at up to £10 billion.

The survey, conducted for the postal services regulator Postcomm, measures households’ and small businesses’ willingness to pay for the post office network and the main services it provides, and concludes that the post office network ‘provides a major social net benefit to the UK population’.

NFSP General Secretary George Thomson said: “This report shows the enormous value which the public and small business place on our post offices. Post offices remain vital outlets for mail, bill payment, banking, retail and other essential services; while the value of post offices as focal points for local communities, and their role as professional and convenient sources of help, information and advice is also strongly acknowledged within the survey.

“However, while the public continues to place a high value on the network, it is increasingly difficult for many subpostmasters to make their post offices viable.”

A recent NFSP survey revealed how the withdrawal of many key services at post offices, coupled with the economic downturn, means that many post offices are now operating at a loss and struggling to survive. All levels of government in the UK – central, devolved and local – must now urgently address this issue by channeling more work through post offices. The NFSP is urging all government departments, devolved administrations and local authorities to always think ‘Post Office first’ when awarding or renewing contracts. Ministers must also create a Postbank, based on the post office network and backed by the UK government.

Mr Thomson said: “If these actions are taken, the national network of 12,000 post offices will have a vibrant future; if not, the network risks going into a further downward spiral of closures, depriving even more communities and small businesses across the UK of trusted, local access to vital services.”

08/09/2009

Subpostmasters call for vital support for post offices at special Assembly debate

Senior figures from the Northern Ireland Assembly and local government will discuss how to safeguard the future of Northern Ireland’s post offices next week at a special debate organised by the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP).

Minister for Finance and Personnel Sammy Wilson MLA, together with Assembly representatives from the DUP, Sinn Féin, UUP, SDLP, Alliance and Greens will all take part in ‘The Post Office Debate’ at the Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

The meeting will address how local and devolved government, and other stakeholders in Northern Ireland, can support the post office network to ensure that it has a sustainable and vibrant future. Dozens of MLAs, councillors, subpostmasters and representatives from Post Office customer groups are due to attend to have their say on the network’s future.

Also addressing the meeting will be NFSP General Secretary George Thomson. The meeting will be chaired by Linda McAuley of BBC Radio Ulster’s ‘On Your Behalf’ programme.

On the agenda will be the need for post offices to continue to provide local access to government, banking, mail and other vital services to individuals and small businesses across Northern Ireland; and for all levels of government to make full use of the post office network’s unrivalled geographical reach and high levels of public trust.

The event comes as the Northern Ireland Executive prepares to put legislation before the Assembly on its proposals for a Small Business Rate Relief Scheme. The introduction of the scheme would bring Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the UK in providing vital rates relief for post offices and other small businesses.

The debate takes place on Monday 14 September from 1.30am to 1pm in the Long Gallery at the Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

Mr Thomson said: “Despite recent post office closures and the promise of new work, the post office network remains at risk. The network can once again be a thriving resource for communities across Northern Ireland and the whole of the UK, but only if local and devolved government provide tangible new work for the public to access at the Post Office.

“This debate is therefore an important opportunity for us to highlight how the Northern Ireland Assembly and councils across Northern Ireland can provide the crucial support needed.”

NFSP Executive Officer for Northern Ireland Stephen Harper said: “We know by talking to subpostmasters across Northern Ireland that while post offices remain an essential resource for the public and for small businesses, subpostmasters are still struggling to make ends meet.

Mr Harper, who is also the subpostmaster at Dungiven Post Office, continued: “The Northern Ireland Executive’s proposal to introduce small business rates relief for post offices is welcome, but it is vital that the Assembly and local authorities hear how post offices can be helped to survive through new locally-driven work and services. We welcome this event as a golden opportunity to work towards that goal.”

The Post Office Debate follows the launch of the NFSP’s Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network report at the House of Commons earlier this year.

The debate will be part of a series of events across the UK’s nations and regions exploring with key stakeholders how local post offices can be sustained.

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For more information, contact Matt Adams at Cobb PR on 01323 416999 or 07958 506221.

The media is invited to attend ‘The Post Office Debate’ which will be held on Monday 14 September 2009, between 11.30am and 1pm (with refreshments available from 11am) in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

Notes to editors:

The NFSP’s Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network identifies a six-step action plan, detailed below:

• Central government services – to increase the number of services available at the Post Office, to introduce a face to face service for all aspects of Government services, to equally promote access to services at the Post Office, and to create a joined-up approach across Government departments.

• Devolved and local government – to ensure local governments use the Post Office to deliver a wide range of local services, to move away from local authority ownership of local post offices which the NFSP believes is not viable, and to call for devolved governments to provide rates relief and grant funding for post offices.

• Banking and financial services – to urgently commit to the setting up of a Postbank at the Post Office (the report examines successful state-run postbanks in Europe), to increase the functionality of the Post Office card account (POCA), to allow full access to all UK high street bank accounts at the Post Office, and to create a comprehensive range of bill payment services.

• Mail – to ensure Post Offices remain the hub for all social and business mail needs, to create opportunities for post offices to offer new mail services, and to protect 900 mailwork offices threatened by potential Royal Mail sorting and delivery office closures.

• Network size and support – to ensure there are no more post office closures, to maintain the existing network through more work for subpostmasters, for Government to commit to review its funding of the network and for central, devolved and local government to provide rates relief and grant aid.

• Local retail – to improve the viability of independent local retailers as post offices and their retail outlets are inter-dependent, to tackle the growth in crime against retail businesses and to change planning law to help support local high streets.

08/07/2009

NFSP calls for vital support for subpostmasters at special Assembly debate

SENIOR figures from local government and the Welsh Assembly will discuss how to safeguard the future of Wales’ post offices this week at a special debate organised by the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP)

Leighton Andrews AM, Deputy Minister for Regeneration; Mark Isherwood AM, Shadow Minister for Social Justice, Equality and Housing; Dai Lloyd AM, Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for South West Wales; and Jenny Randerson AM, Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for the Economy, Transport & Education, will all take part in the event called ‘The Post Office Debate’.

The meeting will address how local and devolved government, and other stakeholders in Wales, can support the post office network to ensure that Wales’ post offices have a sustainable and vibrant future. Dozens of Welsh subpostmasters, councillors, AMs and representatives from Post Office customer groups are due to attend to have their say on the network’s future.

Also addressing the meeting will be Tim Peppin, Director of Regeneration & Sustainable Development at the Welsh Local Government Association and NFSP General Secretary George Thomson. The meeting will be chaired by NFSP National President and Executive Officer for Wales Keith Richards.

On the agenda will be the need for post offices to continue to provide local access to government, banking, mail and other vital services to individuals and small businesses across the country; and for all levels of government in Wales to make full use of the post office network’s unrivalled geographical reach and high levels of public trust.

The event comes just days after the Welsh Assembly Government announced the outcome of the first round of applications to its £4.5m Post Office Diversification Fund to help subpostmasters diversify and improve their post offices.

The debate takes place on Wednesday (July 8) from 10am to 11am at the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff.

Mr Thomson said: “Despite recent post office closures and the promise of new work, the post office network remains at risk. The network can once again be a thriving resource for communities across Wales and the whole of the UK, but only if local and devolved government provide tangible new work for the public to access at the Post Office.

“This debate is therefore an important opportunity for us to highlight how the Welsh Assembly and councils across Wales can provide the crucial support needed.”

Mr Richards, who is also the subpostmaster at Glynneath Post Office, said: “We know by talking to subpostmasters across Wales that while post offices remain an essential resource for the public and for small businesses, subpostmasters are still struggling to make ends meet.

“The Welsh Assembly Government’s Post Office Diversification Fund is an excellent measure to maintain future post office infrastructure, but it is vital that the Assembly and all local authorities hear how post offices can be helped to survive through new locally-driven work and services.

“We welcome this event as a golden opportunity to work towards that goal.”

The Post Office Debate follows the launch of the NFSP’s Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network report at the House of Commons earlier this year.

The debate will be the first of a series of events across the UK’s nations and regions exploring with key stakeholders how local post offices can be sustained.

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For more information, contact Janet Kemp at Cobb PR on 01323 416999.

The media is invited to attend The Post Office Debate which will be held on Wednesday 8 July, 2009, between 10am and 11am in Conference Room 24, Ty Hywel, National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff.

Notes to editors:

The NFSP’s Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network identifies a six-step action plan, detailed below:

Central government services – to increase the number of services available at the Post Office, to introduce a face to face service for all aspects of Government services, to equally promote access to services at the Post Office, and to create a joined-up approach across Government departments.

Devolved and local government – to ensure local governments use the Post Office to deliver a wide range of local services, to move away from local authority ownership of local post offices which the NFSP believes is not viable, and to call for devolved governments to provide rates relief and grant funding for post offices.

Banking and financial services – to urgently commit to the setting up of a Postbank at the Post Office (the report examines successful state-run postbanks in Europe), to increase the functionality of the Post Office card account (POCA), to allow full access to all UK high street bank accounts at the Post Office, and to create a comprehensive range of bill payment services.

Mail – to ensure Post Offices remain the hub for all social and business mail needs, to create opportunities for post offices to offer new mail services, and to protect 900 mailwork offices threatened by potential Royal Mail sorting and delivery office closures.

Network size and support – to ensure there are no more post office closures, to maintain the existing network through more work for subpostmasters, for Government to commit to review its funding of the network and for central, devolved and local government to provide rates relief and grant aid.

Local retail – to improve the viability of independent local retailers as post offices and their retail outlets are inter-dependent, to tackle the growth in crime against retail businesses and to change planning law to help support local high streets.

03/07/2009

Post offices can only survive with new work, NFSP income survey warns

- Major threat to network revealed as data shows new Post Office products delivering little or no new income

- 64% of subpostmasters say their Post Office income has reduced or remained the same over the past 12 months while costs have dramatically increased

- 14% of subpostmasters took nothing at all and are relying on savings or pensions

- Call for government and local authorities to deliver more work to prevent further closures

THOUSANDS of post offices across the UK are still struggling to survive despite attempts to boost subpostmaster incomes and the recent closure porgramme, new figures released today warn.

A major survey by the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) shows how services designed to boost post office incomes are failing to deliver, with many subpostmasters being forced to live on pensions and savings.

The NFSP states that promised new work from central and local government and an increased banking provision at the Post Office would revitalise the network, but says urgent action is needed now to safeguard post offices' future and avoid further unplanned closures.

The survey into more than 750 subpostmasters' salaries reveals how more than half of all subpostmasters take home less than £1,000 a month, and how most have reported a sharp increase in overheads.

NFSP General Secretary George Thomson said: "This situation is not sustainable. Our survey clearly shows that the post office network is not out of the woods despite the recent closure programme and the livelihoods of subpostmasters remain at risk.

"I believe that the network can once again be a thriving national resource at the heart of local communities, used and valued by millions. This can only be achieved if the government steps up to the mark and delivers real, tangible new work for the public and for small businesses to carry out across our counters.

"The situation is currently very precarious - unless new sources of work are urgently found for subpostmasters we will be facing more post office closures, depriving local communities of vital Post Office services and much-needed local retail."

The NFSP survey reveals how nearly two-thirds (64%) of subpostmasters say their Post Office income, which they rely on to run their office, has reduced or remained the same over the past 12 months. Yet 77% reported an increase in overheads and 64% a rise in staff costs during the same period - both of which must be paid from their Post Office salary.

A quarter (26%) of subpostmasters are taking less from their Post Office pay as salary than they were a year ago while 14% are taking nothing at all, instead drawing income from pensions, savings or their retail business. The average subpostmaster salary is now £12,300 before tax.

Income streams decline
The survey also shows how many subpostmasters' traditional income streams are declining, including income from bill payment and payments from processing state pensions and benefits, principally through the Post Office card account (POCA).

Apart from payments for POCA, 41% of subpostmasters earned nothing from government services. The NFSP believes this seriously jeopardises government claims that post offices could become the "front office" for all government departments and agencies.

Local retail threatened
The survey also highlights a serious threat to local retail in communities across the country.

In total, 80% of post offices are run alongside another business, usually a shop, but crucially 66% of those surveyed said the attached business would "probably not" or "definitely not" remain open if the post office closed.

Only 10% agreed the attached business would definitely remain open if the post office closed. (24% of post offices are the only retail outlet in the area. A further 45% of post offices are located in a row of shops, or village with only one to three other shops.)

Mr Thomson added: "Our survey paints a worrying picture for subpostmasters and for the future of the post office network. We have been clear that the UK cannot absorb another round of post office closures. If we are to avoid this, we must see urgent action from this government and from Post Office Ltd; they must act upon the recommendations within the NFSP's recent Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network report, and put more work through all post offices to make use of the network's unrivalled geographical reach and high levels of public trust.

"Today I repeat our call for a government-backed Postbank at the Post Office and for local, devolved and central government in the UK to step up to the mark and think 'Post Office First' when awarding new contracts and services. If we can achieve this, our much loved national network of post offices can have a truly sustainable future."

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For more information and a copy of the NFSP's full suvey, contact Matt Adams at Cobb PR on 01323 416999.

Note to editors:

The National Federation of SubPostmasters surveyed 755 subpostmasters about their Post Office income in March 2009.

From his or her net pay, the subpostmaster must pay for the running of the post office, including overheads and staff wages, as well as taking their own personal drawings. A subpostmaster's monthly net pay is made up of a combination of a fixed element, and the number and type of products and servies he or she has sold or transacted in the post office.

Sub post offices make up 97% of the national network of post offices and are run by private business people, subpostmasters. Subpostmasters are not employees of Post Office Ltd (POL), but act as agents contracted to provide services on behalf of POL. The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) is the trade union and independent membership organisation which represents the interests of the UK's subpostmasters.

The last decade has seen considerable changes in the post office network. Between 2000 and 2009 the network has reduced in size from over 18,000 to 12,000 post offices. This period included two closure programmes - Urban Reinvention under which 2,400 urban post offices shut between 2002 and 2005; and most recently, between June 2007 and early 2009, under the Network Change programme, 2,500 post offices closed.

The NFSP's Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network identifies a six-step action plan, detailed below:

Central government services - to increase the number of services available at the Post Office, to introduce a face to face service for all aspects of Government services, to give equal prominence to services at the Post Office, and to create a joined-up approach across Government departments.

Devolved and local government - to ensure local councils use the Post Office to deliver a wide range of local services, enabled by central co-ordinated support, to reject the unviable model of local authority ownership of local post offices and for devolved government to provide rates relief and grant funding for post offices.

Banking and financial services - to urgently commit to the setting up of a Postbank at the Post Office (the report examines successful state-run postbanks in Europe), to increase the functionality of the Post Office card account (POCA), to allow full access to all UK high street bank accounts at the Post Office, and to create a comprehensive range of bill payment services.

Mail - to ensure Post Offices remain the hub for all social and business mail needs, to create opportunities for post offices to offer new mail services, and to protect 900 rural mailwork offices threatened by potential Royal Mail sorting and delivery office closures.

Network size and support - to ensure there are no more post office closures, to maintain the existing network through more work for subpostmasters, for Government to commit to renew its funding of the network and for central, devolved and local government to provide rates relief and grant funding.

Local retail - to improve the viability of independent local retailers as post offices and their retail outlets are inter-dependent, to tackle the growth in crime.

18/05/2009

Welsh subpostmaster takes key role in fight to safeguard post office network

A Welsh subpostmaster has been elected to lead efforts to safeguard the UK’s post office network.

Keith Richards, who runs Glynneath Post Office in South Wales, was elected National President of the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) this week at the organisation’s annual conference, held in Peebles, Scotland.

The role will see him deliver the views and concerns of subpostmasters to key figures within the UK government on issues that will shape the future of the post office network.

His election comes as the NFSP is calling for central, devolved and local government to think ‘Post Office first’ by bringing more work into the network, to help subpostmasters maintain viable businesses and avoid further post office closures.

This includes the creation of a Postbank at the Post Office, backed by the UK government, offering personal and business banking services at 12,000 trusted, local outlets across the country.

Keith has been an active member of the NFSP since he took on Glynneath Post Office. He has served as the NFSP’s Executive Officer for Wales since 2005, representing subpostmasters across the principality and sitting on the organisation’s ruling Executive Council.

He led the NFSP’s discussions with the Welsh Assembly Government to establish the new £4.5 million Post Office Diversification Fund. The Fund, launched by Deputy Minister for Regeneration Leighton Andrews AM in January this year, offers subpostmasters across Wales grants to fund improvements in their post offices.

Addressing more than 200 subpostmasters from across the UK at the NFSP conference, Keith said: “I will do my very best for you and will cajole and speak to anyone who will listen to ensure we have a future for both our customers and ourselves.

“Government and Post Office Ltd must understand that we don’t want subsidies but new products into all post offices, with adequate levels of pay. We have heard at this conference of the difficulties which subpostmasters are facing and I will do my best to resolve these problems during the coming year.”

Keith, who has been the subpostmaster at Glynneath Post Office since 1994, will hold the position of National President for a year and as part of his presidency will travel to meet with subpostmasters in every part of the UK.

He is married to Linda, who works alongside him in the post office. They have two sons.

Ends

For more information, contact Matt Adams at Cobb PR on 01323 416999.

Note to newsdesks:

The NFSP is an independent membership organisation and trade union, with a commercial trading company to support the retail businesses of its members. The NFSP is the only organisation recognised by Post Office Ltd to represent subpostmasters, independent business people who make up 97% of the post office network.

08/05/2009

Subpostmasters gather at annual conference to call for vital new work

- Conference will warn that post offices are still at risk without “bold and decisive” action to deliver new work, including a Postbank at the Post Office.

- Gareth Thomas, Business and Enterprise Minister, to address subpostmasters.

- Alan Cook, Managing Director of Post Office Ltd, to discuss future plans.

Hundreds of subpostmasters will gather at their annual conference next week to press the government for vital new work to prevent further post office closures.

Members of The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) will call for new work that will maximise the potential of the network to deliver government, mail, banking and other services to the public and small businesses in communities across the UK.

The Postal Services Bill, currently being steered through the House of Lords by Lord Mandleson, and its potential impact on the post office network will be among issues debated at the three-day conference being held in Peebles, Scotland, starting on May 11.

Subpostmasters will also call on ministers to commit to the creation of a Postbank at the Post Office, backed by the UK government and free of toxic assets. The NFSP believes that a Postbank would put trusted and accessible local banking back into the heart of 12,000 communities.

The conference will hear a keynote speech from Gareth Thomas MP, Minister of State at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. He is expected to talk about government plans for the network in the months and years to come.

Alan Cook, Managing Director of Post Office Ltd, will also address the conference on the major issues facing subpostmasters and the network.

The conference comes after the recent publication of the NFSP’s new action plan, Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network, which warns that the post office network’s future remains at risk unless used to deliver a wide range of products and services to communities and small business across the country.

George Thomson, General Secretary of the NFSP, said: “This year’s annual conference will be a crucial one as we step up our call on government to make good on its pledge to urgently deliver new work to post offices.

“As stated in our report, the government must step up to the mark now and give our members categorical assurances of new work. Central, devolved and local government across the UK should all think ‘Post Office first’ when awarding contracts for new or existing services. Although the recent Network Change closure programme is now complete, the future of the network is still not secure.

“A Postbank at the Post Office, backed by the British government, is also absolutely key to the network’s future, and we hope to hear a commitment on this from the minister at the conference.”

Subpostmasters from across the country will be travelling to the conference, to be held at the Peebles Hotel Hydro on May 11, 12 and 13.

Gareth Thomas is expected to deliver his speech at 9.30am on Monday, May 11, with Alan Cook taking the floor on the same day at 2pm.

Ends

For more information, contact Matt Adams at Cobb PR on 01323 416999.

Note to newsdesks:

The media is invited to attend the NFSP annual conference at Peebles Hotel Hydro, Innerleithen Road, Peebles EH45 8LX, Scotland. Press packs will be available.

Journalists wishing to attend conference should contact Matt Adams on 01323 416999 as soon as possible.

Regional media wishing to interview local subpostmasters attending the conference should call Matt Adams on 01323 416999.

The NFSP’s Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network identifies a six-step action plan, detailed below:

Central government services – to increase the number of services available at the Post Office, to introduce a face to face service for all aspects of Government services, to give equal prominence to services at the Post Office, and to create a joined-up approach across Government departments.
Devolved and local government – to ensure local councils use the Post Office to deliver a wide range of local services, enabled by central co-ordinated support, to reject the unviable model of local authority ownership of local post offices, and for devolved government to provide rates relief and grant funding for post offices.
Banking and financial services – to urgently commit to the setting up of a Postbank at the Post Office (the report examines successful state-run postbanks in Europe), to increase the functionality of the Post Office card account (POCA), to allow full access to all UK high street bank accounts at the Post Office, and to create a comprehensive range of bill payment services.
Mail – to ensure Post Offices remain the hub for all social and business mail needs, to create opportunities for post offices to offer new mail services, and to protect 900 rural mailwork offices threatened by potential Royal Mail sorting and delivery office closures.
Network size and support – to ensure there are no more post office closures, to maintain the existing network through more work for subpostmasters, for Government to commit to renew its funding of the network and for central, devolved and local government to provide rates relief and grant funding.
Local retail – to improve the viability of independent local retailers as post offices and their retail outlets are inter-dependent, to tackle the growth in crime against retail businesses and to change planning law to help support local high streets.

01/04/2009

“We need more work to survive”, NFSP tells Business and Enterprise Select Committee

Post offices will continue to shut if more work is not urgently given to the network, the National Federation of SubPostmasters warned today.

NFSP General Secretary George Thomson told a hearing of the Business and Enterprise Select Committee that one post office is still being forced to close every day in the UK.

Mr Thomson said the Government and local authorities must start utilising the post office network as a "national asset" and convert recent "warm words" about new contracts into action.

The NFSP, which last week launched a new action plan to reverse the continued decline of the UK's post office network, was giving evidence to the committee's current inquiry about future post office services.

Mr Thomson told the cross-party committee of MPs: "One post office a day is closing which is very worrying after the recent closure porgramme. These are subpostmasters who want to serve their local communities but who cannot make ends meet."

He added it was key that Government and local authorities put more work into the network, and awarded contracts on the most "economically advantageous price", claiming competitiors cannot match the Post Office's ability to reach as many communities and local businesses.

He said: "The key is for Government to take a longer term approach and start putting work in to the network, which has been seen as a problem to be solved but is in fact a national asset that should be utilised."

Mr Thomson said the NFSP had been calling for a Post Bank for several years, and said his preferred option would be to bring National Savings & Investments (NS&I) back into the Post Office, or to use the nationalised Northern Rock's banking licence to deliver a full suite of banking products.

During the committee hearing, Mr Thomson and NFSP National President Mervyn Jones were asked if the post office was frightened of competition.

Mr Jones said: "We are not frightened of competition, we are frightened of uncertainty. The post office network has been dogged by uncertainty for years and we need Government to create a sustainable environment for the Post Office to become viable again."

Mr Thomson said the NFSP welcomed certain aspects of Ministers' proposals within the Postal Services Bill, including the Government taking on the pension deficit and a change in regulation allowing Ofcom to take over from Postcomm.

Mr Thomson also warned that cast iron guarantees were needed to safeguard post offices if Royal Mail was separated from Post Office Ltd, as proposed in the Bill.

Currently, subpostmasters handle numerous transactions for Royal Mail such as selling stamps and processing parcels, as part of an exclusive deal with POL worth £356m a year.

Ends

For more information, contact Matt Adams at Cobb PR on 01323 416999.

Notes to editors:

The NFSP's new report - Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network - identifies a six-step action plan, detailed below:

Local retail - to improve the viability of independent local retailers as post offices and their retail outlets are inter-dependent, to tackle the growth in crime.

23/03/2009

New NFSP Report Calls For "Bold and Decisive Action" to Safeguard Post Office Network

Report says Government faces “stark choice” between decline or investment

Key new services must include a trusted British Postbank

Ministers must deliver on promises of new work for subpostmasters

A new report by the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) will be launched today (Monday, March 23) calling for “bold and decisive” action to reverse the continued decline of the UK’s post office network.

The report, Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network, warns that the post office network’s future remains at risk and says the time has come to maximise the network’s huge and currently underused potential to deliver a wide range of products and services to communities and small business across the UK.

The NFSP calls on ministers to urgently step up their support for the network by adopting the report’s recommendations and give commitments to increase provision of banking, mail, government and other services at post offices.

The report, designed as a roadmap to show Government how the network can thrive, also warns that the network will not survive any further post office closures.

Among the report’s proposals is the need for central, devolved and local government to use the post office network’s unrivalled geographical reach to deliver more services; and the reiteration of the NFSP’s longstanding
call for the creation a trusted British Postbank at the Post Office – whether through bringing National Savings and Investments (NS&I) back into the Post Office with an enhanced portfolio of banking products, or the transfer of banking licenses of the recently nationalised banks to the Post Office.

Philip Dunne MP will host the formal launch of the report on behalf of the All Party Parliamentary Group for post offices, at a reception in the Houses of Parliament where Post Office Minister Pat McFadden will respond on behalf of the Government. More than 70 MPs are expected to attend.

George Thomson, General Secretary of The National Federation of SubPostmasters, claimed that the network had reached a crossroads and that a change of direction is required from ministers. He said: “After many years of
contraction and decline in the UK’s post office network, the country faces a stark choice.

“We can continue down the path of further closures, loss of work, and general indifference, or we can change things by being bold and decisive to make the most of this vital national asset which binds local communities and economies together across the UK.

“The time is right to create a new, trusted, British Postbank backed by the government, with no hidden toxic assets, a service the NFSP has long championed.

“We have heard comforting words regarding potential new work for the post office network. The time has now come for words to cease and for action to take place. It is time to once again give the country a Post Office it can be proud of.”

Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network repeats the NFSP’s on-going call for all levels of Government in
the UK to think “Post Office first” when developing and renewing existing contracts for services.

Ends

For more information, contact Matt Adams at Cobb PR on 01323 416999 or 07958 385860

The media is invited to attend the launch on March 23. Copies of the report, Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network, will be available.

The launch reception takes place in the Strangers’ Dining Room in the House of Commons on Monday 23 March 2009 between 16.00-17.30. The report will be launched during a brief speaking slot from 16.15-16.30, during which APPG Chair Kate Hoey MP, APPG Secretary Philip Dunne MP and NFSP General Secretary George Thomson will briefly set out and discuss the report’s key recommendations, after which Postal Services minister Pat McFadden MP will speak on behalf of the government.

Further quotes:

Kate Hoey MP (Lab, Vauxhall). Chair, All Party Parliamentary Group for post offices:
“Post offices are the heart of communities across the UK, providing essential services as well as a social hub and
a lifeline to millions in our cities and rural areas alike.

“The aim of the All Party Parliamentary Group for post offices is to campaign and work with others to achieve a
sustainable future for this valuable resource. With common sense, the answer to questions on how to secure post
offices' viability is clear: instead of diverting lucrative contracts, such as TV licensing, away from the Post
Office, we are calling for more central and local government contracts to be given to the network.

“This will make post offices viable while at the same time ensuring that citizens can access government services
in a trusted, local environment and the social benefits which post offices bring to communities can continue.”

Philip Dunne MP (Con, Ludlow). Secretary, All Party Parliamentary Group for post offices:
“This report from the NFSP, backed by the All Party Parliamentary Group, comes at the right time. Communities, small businesses and local shops across the country have been undermined by recent post office closures – we must now focus all our efforts on making sure the remaining post office network has a sustainable future. The recommendations set out in this report, if adopted, would help safeguard this vital part of the fabric of rural and urban life.

“I hope the government will now concentrate on helping post offices by providing more government services through the network; and by providing opportunities for customers and small businesses to carry out a full range of
financial transactions through the Post Office.”

Notes to editors:

The NFSP is an independent membership organisation and trade union, with a commercial trading company to support the retail businesses of its members. The NFSP is the only organisation recognised by Post Office Ltd to represent subpostmasters, independent business people who make up 97% of the post office network.

Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network identifies a six-step action plan, detailed below:

- Central government services – to increase the number of services available at the Post Office, to introduce a face to face service for all aspects of Government services, to give equal prominence to services at the Post Office, and to create a joined-up approach across Government departments.

- Devolved and local government – to ensure local councils use the Post Office to deliver a wide range of local services, enabled by central co-ordinated support, to reject the unviable model of local authority ownership of local post offices, and for devolved government to provide rates relief and grant funding for post offices.

- Banking and financial services – to urgently commit to the setting up of a Postbank at the Post Office (the report examines successful state-run postbanks in Europe), to increase the functionality of the Post Office card account (POCA), to allow full access to all UK high street bank accounts at the Post Office, and to create a comprehensive range of bill payment services.

- Mail – to ensure Post Offices remain the hub for all social and business mail needs, to create opportunities for post offices to offer new mail services, and to protect 900 rural mailwork offices threatened by potential Royal Mail sorting and delivery office closures.

- Network size and support – to ensure there are no more post office closures, to maintain the existing network through more work for subpostmasters, for Government to commit to renew its funding of the network and for central, devolved and local government to provide rates relief and grant funding.

- Local retail – to improve the viability of independent local retailers as post offices and their retail outlets
are inter-dependent, to tackle the growth in crime against retail businesses and to change planning law to help support local high streets.