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).

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.

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."

Ends

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 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. 

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:

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.

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.

03/02/2009

Subpostmasters Urge Ministers To Deliver On Post Office Banking Plans

The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) today welcomed comments from ministers on setting up a “People's Bank” at the Post Office, and called on the government to urgently deliver a framework for a new national bank throughout the network’s 12,000 outlets.

Reports claim that the plans, which would help tackle the banking crisis and boost the post office network’s future stability, have won the support by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson and Postal Affairs Minister Pat McFadden.

NFSP General Secretary George Thomson said: “The NFSP has long called for the creation of a Postbank, or national bank at the Post Office. The post office network is a huge national asset, but ministers must be aware that a 12,000–strong network will not survive through wishful thinking, but only through significant new channels of work.

“We have told ministers that the Post Office is the natural home for increasing access to local banking and financial services; it has unrivalled geographical reach into communities which long ceased to have a bank branch, as well as high levels of usage and trust among the public and small businesses.

“There are a range of mechanisms available to ministers through which the proposals could be delivered – whether through bringing National Savings and Investments back into the Post Office, or through arrangements with nationalised Northern Rock or Bradford & Bingley. Whatever the channel, we believe that a Postbank can bring about a return to trusted, local access to loans, savings and a full range of bank accounts for the public and for small businesses, as well as helping to secure the future viability of our national network of post offices.” 

Ends

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

16/12/2008

NFSP Demands Guarantees To Protect Post Office Network Following Royal Mail Review

The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) today called for a series of Government safeguards to protect the post office network from a potentially substantial loss of business following the publication of the Government-commissioned report by the independent review of postal services, chaired by Richard Hooper. 

The NFSP has warned that new arrangements for Royal Mail to form a strategic partnership with a foreign postal operator could risk a reduction of vital work upon which the post office network depends, and is calling for the Government to provide urgent clarification on new arrangements and their impact on the post office network.

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. 1,000 sub post offices, mostly in rural locations, also provide mailwork sorting offices for Royal Mail, and would be directly threatened with closure if that work was removed under the proposed new arrangements.

George Thomson, General Secretary of the NFSP, said: “Subpostmasters are ever more dependent on Royal Mail transactions, with over a third of POL’s and subpostmasters’ income now coming from mail services. To lose some or all of that work would be catastrophic. The Post Office network must therefore be protected from any loss of business.

“We are calling for urgent clarification from ministers on how the Hooper Review’s proposals will affect the post office network, and for cast-iron guarantees which safeguard the network’s existing Royal Mail work and give subpostmasters the opportunity to take on significant new work streams.”

The key guarantees demanded by the NFSP are:

 - A minimum 10-year deal with Royal Mail and Parcelforce which continues POL’s exclusive contract to handle Royal Mail transactions, fixed at rates equivalent to those already in place.

 - The creation of a British Post Bank, allowing the Post Office to generate new income by offering a wide range of business and personal banking products.

 - Opportunities to be explored for new work to be delivered through the Post Office, particularly from all levels of government in the UK. This should begin with the newly commissioned review by the House of Commons Business and Enterprise Committee to identify new areas of work for the Post Office.

 - Safeguards must be put in place to protect the 1,000 mailwork sub post offices which currently provide premises, facilities and supervision for Royal Mail
delivery staff.

Ends 

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

Notes to Editors:

The NFSP submitted written evidence to the independent review of the postal services sector. See www.nfsp.org.uk/Documentation.asp to download the NFSP submissions.
 

13/11/2008

NFSP Press Statement: Post Office Card Account

Statement from NFSP General Secretary George Thomson:
 
“The National Federation of SubPostmasters welcomes today’s long awaited announcement from the Work and Pensions Secretary that the contract for the successor to the Post Office card account (POCA) will be awarded exclusively to the Post Office.

“We believe the Government decision to cancel the tender process and award the contract exclusively to the Post Office is the correct decision for the post office network, for POCA customers and for UK plc. The Post Office’s bid was highly competitive, and provides customers with unrivalled geographical coverage, security and peace of mind, and a seamless transition from the current card account.

“The announcement follows huge levels of public campaigning and support voiced on all sides of the House of Commons for the Post Office’s bid. Certainly, the alternative to today’s news – the loss or the joint award of the contract – would have undoubtedly resulted in at least 3,000 unplanned post office closures, decimating the national network as subpostmasters are forced out of business through loss of income and significantly reducing vulnerable customers’ access to basic financial services.
 
“This decision must now mark an end to continued uncertainty surrounding the post office network’s future. Subpostmasters, and the post office network, cannot sustain the ongoing threats to vital services and further post office closures every two or three years. Instead, the Government will hopefully now start to make full use of the huge national asset it has in the Post Office, rather than regarding it as a problem and continuing a downward spiral of cuts and closures.
 
“We welcome the proposals made by Lord Mandelson to the Prime Minister, of building on the Post Office’s presence in every community in Britain and its high level of customer trust to offer an expanded range of banking and financial services at post offices, and hope the Government will build on these ideas to achieve its own financial and social inclusion objectives through the Post Office. We would urge all Government departments and agencies at
national, devolved and local level, to ensure that they “think Post Office first” when awarding contracts for their services. Certainly, all political parties must recognise that a network of 12,000 post offices across the UK will not be secured by wishful thinking, but only by continuing to channel more work through it and making full use of this unparalleled national asset.”
 

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

Notes:

 - The Post Office card account (POCA) was launched in 2003 and is used by more than four million people to access state pensions and benefits at the Post Office. The current POCA contract is due to come to an end in 2010.

 - In January 2006, the Government announced it would not be renewing the POCA contract after 2010. The NFSP launched a campaign which resulted in a petition of four million names being handed to Downing Street during a lobby at Westminster.

 - In December 2006, following the NFSP campaign, the Government announced that there would after all be a successor POCA product. A tender process to decide who will run the successor product closed in March this year and a decision had been expected at the end of the summer.

 - 265 MPs of all parties have signed EDM 1506 in favour of awarding the POCA contract to the Post Office.

 - Over three million members of the public have signed campaign postcards sent to their MP, calling on the Government to keep the contract at the Post Office.

 - There remain more post offices in the UK than all banks and building societies combined. 60% of villages retain a post office, while only 4% have a bank branch.

07/11/2008

NFSP launches poster campaign to save crucial card account contract

Subpostmasters across the country have today stepped up their campaign to save the crucial Post Office card account (POCA) contract.

The National Federation of SubPostmasters has sent every UK post office a poster urging customers to lobby their MP about the importance of retaining the contract.
 
The action comes as subpostmasters await a Government decision on who will run a new POCA contract. The delay in the announcement, originally expected in the summer, is causing uncertainty and worry among subpostmasters nationwide that the crucial work will be taken away from the Post Office.

The NFSP has warned that a further 3,000 more post offices face closure if the contract is lost to a competitor. The NFSP’s Executive Council is to hold an emergency meeting on Monday (10 November) to discuss the issue.

Currently, the POCA is used by more than four million people to access state pensions and benefits at the post office and accounts for up to 20% of subpostmasters’ pay.
 
In addition, customers who received their pension and other benefit payments using the POCA in post offices then spend up to £2 billion annually in the retail shops many subpostmasters run alongside their branches.
 
In total, 12,000 posters have this week been sent out by the NFSP. They call on customers to contact their local MP to highlight how vital the POCA service is at their local post office.
 
George Thomson, General Secretary of the NFSP, said: “Losing the POCA would be devastating for the national post office network, subpostmasters and their customers.

“The four million people who use the current POCA want to continue to get their cash at the Post Office – so why does the Government not end the uncertainty and deliver a vote of confidence in the future of thousands of Post Office branches?

“POL has submitted a highly competitive bid for the contract. The post office network’s unrivalled geographic spread, its status as a trusted brand, and its ability to provide a seamless transition for customers onto the new card account, all mean that POL is best placed to win the contract.

“Subpostmasters and their customers will regard it as the ultimate act of betrayal if the Government fails to award the contract to Post Office Ltd.”

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For more information or a copy of the poster, contact Matt Adams at Cobb PR on 01323 416999

 
Notes to editors:

The Post Office card account (POCA) was launched in 2003 and is used by more than four million people to access state pensions and benefits at the Post Office. The POCA contract is due to come to an end in 2010. 

In January 2006, the Government announced it would not be renewing the POCA contract after 2010. The NFSP launched a campaign which resulted in a petition of four million names being handed to Downing Street during a lobby at Westminster.

In December 2006, following the NFSP campaign, the Government announced a U-turn and announced there would be a successor POCA product. A tender process to decide who will run the successor product closed in March this year and a decision was expected at the end of the summer. However, a decision on who has won the contract has been delayed.

06/10/2008

Subpostmasters best placed to deliver new POCA contract

Subpostmasters are best placed to handle state pensions and benefits payments on the high street, The National Federation of SubPostmasters claims today.

The statement comes on the eve of a decision by ministers on who has won the tender to run the successor to the Post Office card account (POCA). The NFSP says no one else can match the ability of the post office network to deliver the service to all communities across the UK.

The Federation today said it was hopeful before the decision, but repeated its fears that as many at least 3,000 more post offices could close if the POCA contract is not awarded to Post Office Ltd (POL), following the planned closure of 2,500 offices under the Network Change programme.

More than four million people currently use the POCA to access benefits and pensions at the Post Office, work which accounts for an average 10% of subpostmasters’ incomes.

George Thomson, General Secretary of the NFSP, said: “The Federation is looking forward to the decision on who will operate the successor to the card account.

“We are confident that the Government recognises the post office’s unrivalled ability to deliver pensions and benefits to more communities, both in urban and rural areas, than anyone else, and the importance this has in safeguarding the economic sustainability of those communities.

“The post office network remains by far the largest retail network in the UK. No other organisation can offer the same geographical spread.

“It is also important to point out that if Post Office Ltd does win the contract, there would be a seamless migration of current POCA users to the new product, an important fact given that many POCA users are vulnerable and still hold great trust in the Post Office.”

Political support for Post Office Ltd winning the contract is strong. Before parliament’s summer recess, 250 MPs signed an early day motion calling for the Post Office to continue to operate the successor product.

An NPSP survey showed that card account transactions account for up to 12%  of subpostmasters’ pay. If lost, this could lead to as many as 3,000 sub post offices going out of business, the NFSP estimates.

Of the 24 million visits made to post offices every week, 6.5 million are made by POCA customers, highlighting the importance of the POCA contract to subpostmasters.

Mr Thomson added: “Millions of pensioners and those on benefits chose to access their money at the Post Office. This choice is what keeps so many subpostmasters in business. If the Government wants a sustainable post office network in years to come, it must choose to support our members accordingly.

“Retaining the contract for POCA2 will not be a cure-all for the many challenges faced by the post office network. It will, however, provide the Post Office with breathing space to deliver the new products and services required to ensure that the new post office network is given the best possible chance to survive and thrive in the future.”

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

Footnotes:

Ipsos Mori survey

•In 2006, the NFSP commissioned a report by leading market research firm Ipsos MORI on post office earnings which highlighted the crucial importance to subpostmasters’ livelihoods of the Post Office Card Account (POCA) – used by 4 million people to claim pensions and benefits.

•The report found that in 2006, POCA accounted for 10% of subpostmasters’ pay (12% in deprived urban areas) with 35% of those interviewed by Ipsos MORI saying their biggest fear was losing the card account.

03/09/2008

NFSP exhibition to help safeguard the future of post offices

Subpostmasters will gather in London this weekend to seek new ways of protecting the future of their post offices.

Subpostmaster / CTN World 2008, an exhibition organised by the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) and the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN), will showcase dozens of new products and services aimed at helping subpostmasters and independent retailers boost their income.

Following the closure of 2,500 post offices under Network Change, those left in the network are being urged to explore new commercial opportunities to increase the viability of their post offices.

George Thomson, General Secretary of the NFSP, said: “We are determined that the current closure programme is the last, and that means making sure those post offices left in the network are viable and sustainable.

“We continue to call on the Government to “think Post Office first” when introducing new products and services; and to make better use of its own network, with its unrivalled geographical reach and high levels of customer trust.

“But it is also up to individual subpostmasters to do all they can to fully explore the hundreds of commercial opportunities that are available, many of which will be on display at Subpostmaster 2008.

“This year the show moves to London and will be bigger and better than ever before, with a hall packed full of exciting chances to build on sales and profits.”

More than 150 exhibitors showing products ranging from DVD hire, flowers and confectionery to mobile phones, security systems and stationery will be on show at the exhibition.

Post Office Ltd (POL) will also have a strong presence at the event, and POL staff are expected to talk about new products and services and how subpostmasters can maximise sales of existing products.

Key seminars will be held during the exhibition including a Q&A session with senior members of the NFSP tackling all issues facing the post office network.

The event is being held at the National Hall at Olympia. Doors open at 10.30am on Saturday September 6, and at 10am on Sunday September 7. The exhibition closes at 5.30pm on both days.

For more details visit www.subpostmastershow.co.uk or call 0845 218 6055 to register.

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The media is welcome to attend the exhibition. For more information, contact Chris Gape at Cobb PR on 01323 416999