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Archived News

29/12/2009

Small Business Rates Relief for Northern Ireland Post Offices

Post offices in Northern Ireland may be eligible for small business rates relief next year under a new scheme agreed by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

From April 2010, post offices in Northern Ireland with a net annual value (NAV) of £9,000 or less will automatically receive 100% relief, while those branches with a NAV of more than £9,000 and less than £12,000 will receive 50% relief. The Northern Ireland Executive estimates that the vast majority of post offices will benefit under the scheme.

The initiative, which provides post offices in Northern Ireland with rates relief for the first time, follows sustained lobbying from the NFSP’s Northern Ireland Branch. The NFSP has welcomed the introduction of the scheme – small business rates relief can make a significant contribution to individual post offices’ viability and we continue to call for post offices in all parts of the UK to be eligible for full automatic rates relief.

The Northern Ireland Land & Property Services has issued a factsheet which provides further guidance on the scheme.

23/12/2009

Merry Christmas

The National Federation of SubPostmasters would like to thank all the organisations and individuals we have worked with over the course of a busy 2009.

We wish all our members, their customers, and all those we work with a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Members should receive the January edition of The Subpostmaster on 11 January due to the Christmas and New Year period.

02/12/2009

Public Consultation on Post Office Financial Services

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’.

View the full NFSP press statement and the government's consultation document.

12/11/2009

NFSP Response to Public Accounts Committee Report on Network Change

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has today published its report on the Post Office Network Change Programme.

View the NFSP's reponse to the Committee's conclusions, and coverage on the report and the NFSP's response from the BBC, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Guardian and Yorkshire Post.

21/10/2009

NFSP Statement on Royal Mail Industrial Action

The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) today made clear that its members are not involved in the strike action set to take place within Royal Mail following the Communications Workers Union (CWU) announcement. Subpostmasters, who run the UK’s sub post offices which make up 97% of the national post office network, will continue to work during any industrial action by Royal Mail employees.

NFSP General Secretary George Thomson said: “Customers should be aware that the nation’s sub post offices will remain open for business as usual.”

He also urged both sides to resolve their differences as soon as possible: “We urge the CWU and Royal Mail management to redouble their efforts to bring this dispute to a satisfactory conclusion which recognises the major challenges facing Royal Mail Group going forward.”

"In particular we hope that the dispute can be resolved well before the Christmas period, which is so important to our customers and to the revenue of both Post Office Ltd and Royal Mail.”

19/10/2009

NFSP Statement on Government Response to 'Post Offices - Securing Their Future'

The NFSP has issued a statement following publication today of the government's response to the House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee's report 'Post Offices - Securing Their Future'.

15/10/2009

"Pressing need" to bring in more customers

The importance for Post Office Ltd to work with government to "finalise a long term strategic vision" to secure our post office network, is emphasised by the regulator Postcomm in the annual report which sets out their latest advice to the government.

Quoting NFSP research, the regulator says subpostmasters' income is so low that it could in the longer term pose a threat to the future of the network.

Postcomm concludes there remains a "pressing need" to bring more customers into the post office. Whilst acknowledging there is no single solution, Postcomm suggests opportunities include being a "front office" for government services and the development of financial services.

Read Postcomm's report.

01/10/2009

Prime Minister plans to bring banking services back to the heart of communities

Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, announced at the Labour Party Conference a bigger role for post offices in providing financial services, "bringing banking services back to the heart of people's communities".

The NFSP welcomes the announcment, but now calls for action to be taken to make the Postbank a reality.

Read the NFSP's press release and the government's press release.

11/09/2009

Public values post office services at £10bn

A survey conducted for Postcomm, measures households' and small business' willingness to pay for the post office network and the main services it provides. The research report claims the social value of the post office network has been measured at up to £10 billion.

Read Postcomm's report and the NFSP's press release.

08/09/2009

'The Post Office Debate', Northern Ireland Assembly

Subpostmasters from across Northern Ireland will be joined by representatives from devolved and local government, and business and customer groups at an NFSP meeting to discuss the future of the post office network at the Northern Ireland Assembly next week.

Hosted by Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson MP and chaired by Linda McAuley of BBC Radio Ulster, 'The Post Office Debate' will take place at the Parliament Buildings, Stormont on Monday 14 September.

The 'Post Office Debate' follows the launch earlier this year of the NFSP's Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network report. Read the NFSP's press release on the Northern Ireland meeting.

01/09/2009

HANCO resolution

The NFSP is pleased that following weeks of discussion with Post Office Ltd (POL) and working with them to identify a way forward, POL has now agreed not to pursue backdated fees for use of Post Office cash in HANCO ATMs.

POL will begin collecting the fees due on a monthly basis from September 2009, i.e. in October’s remuneration, from which time subpostmasters will receive a monthly statement. Correspondence between HANCO and subpostmasters indicated that HANCO would meet any shortfall between these costs and transaction payments received and talks continue on the best way of administering this.

Our representations on members’ behalf have been taken on board and we hope that this resolution represents a fair and pragmatic way forward, with subpostmasters being clear as to their costs for the future.

We realise that every office is unique in terms of the business it conducts but believe that in most cases members will find it worthwhile to continue with their ATM provision.

31/07/2009

Remuneration Changes to E Top-ups and Growth Bond Issue 9

General Secretary George Thomson has written to all NFSP members setting out the Federation's position on Post Office Ltd's recent unilateral cut in subpostmasters' remuneration for E Top-ups and Growth Bond Issue 9.

NFSP members can access the Pay page within the members-only section of this website for full details on all rates agreed at the conclusion of the 2009 pay settlement.

30/07/2009

Subpostmaster Exhibition 2009

After lengthy analysis, the NFSP has reluctantly decided to cancel this year's Subpostmaster Exhibition. This is due to the severe economic downturn and consideration of both members’ and exhibitors’ budgets.

As the economic climate improves, the NFSP will continue to review opportunities to run an Exhibition in the future.

16/07/2009

Changes to Growth Bond and E Top-Up Payments to Subpostmasters

In response to Post Office Ltd's letter to subpostmasters announcing a cut in rates of pay for Growth Bonds and E Top-Ups , NFSP General Secretary George Thomson has written to the NFSP's Executive Council:

Dear Executive Officer

The Negotiating Committee totally and utterly disagreed with the changes to Growth Bond and E Top-Up Payments.

They put forward counter proposals that were ignored by Post Office Ltd and they then unilaterally imposed the pay cuts.

This action totally cuts across the annual pay deal and as far as we are concerned it demonstrated a total lack of faith. The Negotiating Committee are further considering their response.

Following a discussion with Alan Cook, either Post Office Ltd will be publishing a Memoview to all offices, or if not I will be writing to all subpostmasters.

08/07/2009

NFSP debate on Wales' post office network's sustainability at National Assembly

On Wednesday 8 July 2009, senior figures from local government and the Welsh Assembly will discuss how to safeguard the future of Wales' post offices.

'The Post Office Debate', chaired by Keith Richards, NFSP National President and Executive Officer for Wales, sees policy makers and opinion formers from across Wales gather to discuss the issues facing the country's post office network, and explore measures required to help it achieve sustainability.

The panel consists of: 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; Tim Peppin, Director of Regeneration and Sustainable Development, Welsh Local Government Association; Jenny Randerson AM, Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for the Economy, Transport & Education; and George Thomson, NFSP General Secretary.

The audience - made up of AMs, councillors and council officials, subpostmasters and representatives from consumer, business and other interest groups - will hear from each panel member before putting questions to them.

The debate at the National Assembly is 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.

Read the NFSP press release about the debate. Read the NFSP's vision for the future of the network in its report, Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network.

07/07/2009

NFSP response to Business and Enterprise Committee report 'Post Offices - Securing Their Future'

Today the House of Commons Business and Enterprise Committee published its report, 'Post Offices - Securing Their Future'. The report emphasises the value attached to the post office network by the public, identifies services that should be provided through it and calls in particular on all government departments to recognise its potential in delivering a range of services.

NFSP General Secretary George Thomson said: “The NFSP warmly welcomes the publication today of the Business and Enterprise Committee’s report on the future of the post office network, and strongly backs its call for speedy, co-ordinated action within government to help sustain what is rightly identified as a ‘priceless national asset’.

“As the committee makes clear, increased provision of central and local government services through post offices is vital to the network’s future, and achieving this is first and foremost a question of political will. We therefore fully support the committee’s call for the appointment of a government-wide leader to co-ordinate and swiftly implement a programme of expanded government services at post offices. I urge the Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, who requested that the committee undertake this inquiry, to now respond by naming the government’s post office champion and setting out a clear timetable for the urgent implementation of these recommendations.

“The NFSP has long called for central, devolved and local government across the UK to think ‘Post Office first’ when awarding contracts for services, as the post office network’s unrivalled geographical reach and high levels of public trust make it the natural home for citizens and businesses to interact with the state. We are therefore delighted that MPs on the committee have recognised this potential and called on government departments and councils to step up their efforts to offer services through post offices, and for contracts to be awarded at a fair price so that subpostmasters are able to make a living from their post office.

“We also note the report’s acknowledgement of the need to urgently review banking services available at the Post Office, and call on ministers to begin the process of developing a government-backed Postbank at the Post Office. Only a Postbank can restore public trust in financial institutions and return banking services to the heart of communities across the country.

“We agree that the post office network can once again become a thriving and profitable operation, and should be viewed as a national asset rather than be a problem. However, this can only be achieved if the opportunity is seized to channel more work across subpostmasters’ counters.”

Read the report 'Post Offices - Securing Their Future' or view the Business and Enterprise Committee's press release.

Watch General Secretary George Thomson's response to the report on BBC News.

Read the NFSP's written evidence to the Business and Enterprise Select Committee inquiry into future support and new areas of work for the post office network; or watch the NFSP's oral evidence session to the Committee on 31 March 2009.

03/07/2009

NFSP Subpostmaster Income Survey 2009

New research published today by the NFSP highlights the threat posed to the post office network as subpostmasters' income levels remain worryingly low. The NFSP is calling on the government to urgently deliver new products and services through the network to provide it with a sustainable future and to avoid further post office closures.

The report provides an extensive breakdown of subpostmasters' income across a range of Post Office products and services, as well as information on their post office running costs, personal drawings, associated retail business and hopes and fears for the future. This follows the NFSP's previous research on subpostmaster income with Ipsos MORI.

Read the press release or download a copy of the full report.

04/06/2009

NFSP members honoured at People’s Post Office Awards

NFSP members have been recognised in this year's People's Post Office of the Year Awards at a ceremony in London.

Described as "outstanding" and "having star quality", Finaghy Post Office in Belfast was crowned the UK's Best Post Office, positioning it as a beacon of excellence for others to follow. The post office also won the Most Innovative category.

Four other NFSP members also won awards: Llangadog Post Office in Carmarthenshire was presented with the Heart of the Community award; and Backwell Post Office in Bristol was awarded the Customer Heroes title.

Post office customers were invited to vote for the office they considered the 'Best Post Office', with two further members being awarded the honour of being the Best Post Office in their individual category. West Monkseaton Post Office in Whitley Bay scooped the prize in the Best Town and City category, while Somerleyton Post Office in Suffolk was the winner of the Best Community title.

Read Royal Mail Group's press release on the awards.

18/05/2009

New NFSP National President

Keith Richards, NFSP Executive Officer for Wales/Cymru, has been elected National President at the NFSP Annual Conference. See the press release for further information on Keith's election.

NFSP members who attended last week's Conference can now view and order photos taken at Tuesday evening's Gala Dinner.

Photos taken during Conference can be viewed and ordered here.

08/05/2009

NFSP Annual Conference 2009

Subpostmasters from across the UK are set to gather for the NFSP's Annual Conference, which takes place at Peebles in the Scottish Borders from 11-13 May.

Hundreds of subpostmasters will debate the future of the post office network, including the NFSP's calls to set up a Postbank at the Post Office. Business and Enteprise Minister Gareth Thomas MP and Post Office Ltd Managing Director Alan Cook will both address the conference on Monday 11 May.

Read the NFSP's press release on the conference.

06/05/2009

Local Government Association

NFSP General Secretary George Thomson has written an article for the latest edition of the Local Government Association (LGA) magazine first on how councils can help support post offices.

In his article, George urges local authorities to look at making more council services available through post offices. This would help councils free up administration, allow citizens to access council information and services in a trusted local environment, and help bring additional income and custom to local post offices to help them remain viable.

The NFSP's Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network, launched in March in the House of Commons, sets out a list of suggested council services which could be made available through post offices, together with other actions which local authorities can take to support post offices in their area.

first is the LGA's weekly magazine, which is distributed to all councillors in England and Wales.

01/05/2009

Members asked to take action and contact local councillor

Following the successful launch of the Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network report at a House of Commons event hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group for post offices, the NFSP is now asking government departments to identify new areas of work which their department can put through the Post Office.

We are also asking members to take action by contacting their local councillor to ask them what the council is doing to provide support for subpostmasters and put work through local post offices, and to encourage them to actively look for opportunities to do more. Members can use or adapt the model letter on the News to Branches page to send to their local councillor, based on their knowledge on what their council already does or could do, and their own personal experience.

Further details of the NFSP's recommendations to local authorities, including a full list of suggested council services which should be offered through post offices, can be found under 'Step 2' of the Six Steps report.

23/04/2009

Subpostmasters' Income Survey Response

Earlier this year the NFSP surveyed subpostmasters to find out more about their income. 3,000 members were randomly selected and sent questionnaires asking about their March pay figures, pay trends, personal drawings and overheads, their attached business, and view of the future.

The NFSP has received an excellent response to the survey with over 700 returned to NFSP Headquarters. Thank you to all members who took the time to complete and return the questionnaire.

Responses are currently being processed and will form an important evidence base in our future campaigning and negotiating. Details of the findings will be fully reported on the website later this summer.

01/04/2009

Business and Enterprise Select Committee

The National Federation of SubPostmasters yesterday gave evidence to the House of Commons Business and Enterprise Select Committee, as part of its inquiry on future services for post offices.

General Secretary George Thomson and National President Mervyn Jones took questions from the cross-party committee of MPs for over an hour, presenting the NFSP's views on banking, government, mail and other services through post offices, as well as highlighting concerns on levels of subpostmaster remuneration.

Watch the evidence session or view the NFSP's press release.

The Business and Enterprise Committee today also published a new report on the Postal Services Bill. The committee highlights concerns about government proposals within the legislation to separate Post Office Ltd (POL) from Royal Mail Group, and to create two sister companies under a new umbrella organisation, Royal Mail Holdings. The report warns that "the material published so far does not give nearly enough detail about the rationale for a separation of Post Office Ltd and Royal Mail, or its practical consequences....We recommend that the practical consequences of such a separation be explored in the scrutiny of the Bill."

This echoes concerns voiced by the NFSP about the impact on the post office network of any separation, given subpostmasters' and POL's high levels of dependence on income from transacting services on behalf of Royal Mail.

23/03/2009

Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network

The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) today launches a new report on the future of the post office network. Six Steps to a Sustainable Post Office Network highlights recommendations for central, devolved and local government on actions to secure a viable future for the UK's 12,000 post offices.

The report is to be launched at a reception in the House of Commons this afternoon, hosted by Philip Dunne MP on behalf of the All Party Parliamentary Group for post offices.

View the NFSP's press release, or media coverage on the report in The Times and The Telegraph.

19/03/2009

Pay Deal 2009-10

The NFSP is pleased to announce that pay negotiations with Post Office Ltd have been completed and a new pay deal has been agreed.

The new remuneration arrangements for subpostmasters will take effect from April 2009 pay.

The NFSP has today issued a Branch Secretaries' Circular giving further information on the new arrangements. NFSP members can access this in the News to Branches pages, within the members-only section of the website.

If members have any enquiries regarding the forthcoming changes to their remuneration, they should contact POL's HR Service Centre or their NFSP Executive Officer in the first instance.

23/02/2009

Automatic Payment of Small Business Rates Relief

The NFSP is supporting a campaign to introduce the automatic payment of small business rates relief.

The campaign, which is led by the Federation of Small Businesses, is aiming to secure legislation in parliament through a Private Members' Bill tabled by the House of Commons Business & Enterprise Committee Chair Peter Luff MP.

While rates relief is automatically deducted for post offices in Wales, small businesses in England and Scotland usually have to apply to receive any rates relief. Small business rates relief is not currently available in Northern Ireland.

NFSP members can download a template letter which can be adapted and sent to your Member of Parliament, calling on them to support the Bill.

03/02/2009

NFSP Response to "People's Bank" Media Reports
The NFSP issued a press statement urging the government to take action to deliver a national bank at the Post Office, following weekend media reports of ministers backing the concept.

29/01/2009

Web Forum Poster - Business & Enterprise Committee Inquiry

The House of Commons Business and Enterprise Committee is conducting an inquiry into the future of the post office network. The inquiry is being carried out on behalf of the government, and will look at what essential services post offices currently provide, and what additional services could be provided over post office counters in the future.

The NFSP has made a full written submission to the inquiry. The committee has also launched a web forum to encourage contributions from members of the public who may not wish to make a formal written submission.

The committee has asked the NFSP to alert subpostmasters to the web forum, and would be grateful to any subpostmaster who is willing to download, print off and display the poster which the committee has produced in their post office. NFSP Branch Secretaries will also be sent copies of the poster.

15/01/2009

In memory of Craig Hodson-Walker

On Friday 16 January at 11.00am, a two minute silence will be held in post offices across the country as a mark of respect, following the tragic shooting at Fairfield Post Office and Stores last week.

A memorial fund has also been set up for Mr Craig Hodson-Walker. Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at all post office branches.

The NFSP is doing all it can to support the family during this very difficult time, and our thoughts and condolences are with them.

The NFSP asks for all subpostmasters and their staff, now more than ever, to be vigilant in their daily work.

05/01/2009

Wales Post Office Diversification Fund Launched

The Welsh Assembly government has announced the launch of a new £4.5 million Post Office Diversification Fund from 1 January 2009. The new fund, which will be open to every sub post office in Wales, will be available over three years. All subpostmasters in Wales will shortly receive further information on the fund.

NFSP officials in Wales were closely involved in the development of the new fund. NFSP Wales/Cymru Executive Officer Keith Richards said: “We are delighted that the Post Office Diversification Fund has been approved. The re-introduction of the fund will help grow confidence and will encourage subpostmasters to invest in their post offices and hopefully upgrade them.

“Where as the previous Post Office Development Fund was only available to the 100 most deprived offices and the 100 most rural offices in Wales, the new fund is available to every subpostmaster, with up to £20,000 for building works and £15,000 for peripheral items such as signage and computers. The NFSP worked with Post Office Ltd to ensure the new Post Office Diversification Fund was the best possible deal for subpostmasters, and we welcome the Welsh Assembly’s efforts to help maintain the post office service across Wales.”

The fund comes in addition to the continuation for 2009 of the 100% business rates relief granted to all post offices by the Welsh Assembly government.

The NFSP believes that national, devolved and local government across the rest of the UK should follow the lead set by Wales in using rates relief, grant funding and training to make a significant contribution to the future viability of all post offices.

22/12/2008

Happy Christmas

The National Federation of SubPostmasters would like to thank all the organisations and individuals we have worked with over the course of a busy and eventful 2008.

We wish all our members, their customers, and all those we work with a happy Christmas and a prosperous 2009.

Members will receive the January edition of The Subpostmaster around 10 January due to the Christmas and New Year period.

16/12/2008

NFSP Response to Publication of Hooper Review Final Report

The NFSP has issued a press release in response to the publication today of the final report from the independent review of UK postal services, chaired by Richard Hooper.

View the full report, the government press statement following its publication, and the NFSP's two written submissions to the review. Watch Lord Mandelson's statement to the House of Lords in response to the report.

12/12/2008

MPs Taskforce on Future of Post Office Network

The NFSP has welcomed yesterday's announcement by the Government that a committee of MPs will review options for additional services to be offered through the post office network.

Business and Enterprise Secretary Lord Mandelson has asked the House of Commons Business and Enterprise Select Committee to carry out an inquiry into what further local and national government services, and other services, the network could provide. The inquiry will receive written submissions during January 2009 and hold oral evidence sessions in February.

The NFSP has welcomed the news as an important step in the Government making full use of the huge opportunities which the post office network offers, with its unrivalled geographical reach and high level of public trust. The NFSP will make a full written submission to the inquiry.

The announcement follows news of the Government's intention to establish a taskforce, as set out by Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell during his statement to parliament on 13 November that the Post Office would be awarded the contract for the successor to the Post Office card account.

Read the announcements from the Government and from the Business and Enterprise Committee.

17/11/2008

POCA - Further News and Thanks

Following the Government's announcement on Thursday 13 November that it was cancelling the tender process and would award the contract for the successor to the Post office card account (POCA) to the Post Office, the NFSP would like to thank the many individuals involved in securing this vital campaign victory. Without the contribution of thousands of NFSP members and millions of Post Office customers, it is highly unlikely that this result would have been secured.

Folowing his statement to the House of Commons, Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell received repeated tributes from MPs of all parties on the vital work carried out by subpostmasters in constituencies across the UK, as well as praise for the campaigning efforts of the NFSP, its members and their customers. In response to one question from Michael Moore MP, the Minister said:

"the hon. Gentleman is right to say that we should recognise the work that subpostmasters and subpostmistresses do. I am sure that he will join me in congratulating George Thomson on the work that he has done as General Secretary of the National Federation of SubPostmasters, along with all of his members."

The minister's full statement to the House of Commons on the Government's decision on POCA can be read or viewed (starts at 1:55) here.

National press coverage of the decision included the following stories in the Guardian, Telegraph, Mail, Mirror, Express and Times, as well as an interview with NFSP General Secretary George Thomson with the Press Association.

Several regional and local newspapers have also run stories on local POCA campaigning and what the decision means for post offices in their area, including publications in Yorkshire, Glasgow, Blackpool, Lowestoft, Swansea, Middlesbrough, Sheffield, Tayside, Derby, Bolton and Stoke-on-Trent.

13/11/2008

Government Announcement on POCA

The NFSP has issued a press statement in response to today's Government announcement that it will award the contract for the successor to the Post Office card account (POCA) exclusively to the Post Office. The contract will run from 2010 to 2015, with the possibility of further extension.

Read the statement from the Department for Work and Pensions on the decision; and watch news coverage of the decision on BBC News and ITV News, including interviews with NFSP General Secretary George Thomson. The announcement has also been welcomed by the Federation of Small Businesses, Age Concern, Citizens Advice and Help The Aged, as well as the new consumer body Consumer Focus.

The decision from ministers follows substantial concern expressed by the public and in parliament on the threat to the POCA. Over three million Post Office customers sent POCA campaign postcards to their MPs; while 265 Members of Parliament signed EDM 1506, calling for the contract to be awarded to the Post Office.

Earlier this week, MPs from all parties called on the Government to ensure the contract was retained by the Post Office during an Opposition Day Debate in the House of Commons tabled by the Liberal Democrats. Watch the debate (starts at 4:56) as it took place or read the transcript. Yesterday, Dr Lynne Jones MP (Labour) and James Arbuthnot MP (Conservative) both called on Gordon Brown to announce the POCA decision without further delay during Prime Ministers' Questions. Read the transcript or watch PMQs.

10/11/2008

New Report on POCA Welcomed

The NFSP has welcomed the publication today of a new report by the House of Commons Business & Enterprise Committee on the Post Office card account (POCA). Read the report here.

The cross-party committee of MPs urges ministers to take "fully into account" the needs of POCA customers, Government expenditure and the community as a whole when deciding on the tender for the new POCA. The MPs highlight the need for any successful tender to ensure reliable access to cash for POCA customers.

They also recommend that the Post Office's wide geographical spread should "provide a baseline against which any tenders should be measured" to ensure that all POCA customers have access to finance, and that meeting "the basic financial needs of customers" should be paramount.

The Committee also states that it is "disturbed" that the Government has allowed the delay in an announcement on POCA, which it points out "is destabilising for the post office network".

The NFSP has commented on the report in a number of media interviews today. Watch NFSP General Secretary George Thomson's interview on BBC Breakfast here.

Over the weekend, the Conservatives have declared that the Government must award the POCA contract to the Post Office. In an article in the Daily Telegraph, Shadow Business and Enterprise Secretary Alan Duncan MP warns that the POCA "is the lifeline keeping what is left of our post office network alive." Read the Daily Telegraph article here.

This follows last week's press release from the Liberal Democrats stating that "a decision to award the POCA contract to anyone other than the Post Office will mark a dereliction of duty" by the Department for Work and Pensions. Read the Liberal Democrats press release here.

Today, the Local Government Association issued a strongly worded press release warning that if the Government fails to award the POCA contract to the Post Office, it will "rip the heart out of local areas". Read the Local Government Association press release here.

We must continue to keep the POCA campaign high profile and retain the pressure on MPs. New campaign posters have been sent to every post office. Display these and issue the model press release to local media. Further campaign details and the model press release are available on the News to Branches page within the members only section of this website.

07/11/2008

POCA Poster Campaign Update

The NFSP has issued a press release on the latest stage in its campaign to secure the contract for the successor to the Post Office card account (POCA).

Every post office in the UK has today received further POCA campaign posters, urging Post Office customers to lobby their MP on the importance of Post Office Ltd retaining the POCA contract.

NFSP members can request further copies of the posters from NFSP Headquarters. A model press release, to issue to local media to support the campaign, is available together with further campaign information on the News to Branches pages within the members only section of this website.

Meanwhile, the Commission for Rural Communities has issued a statement highlighting its concerns on the impact on rural areas of the loss of the POCA; while Labour MP John McFall, the Chair of the influential House of Commons Treasury Committee, has today warned that up to 6,000 post offices face closure if the POCA contract is lost.

03/11/2008

Further Media Coverage on POCA

NFSP General Secretary George Thomson was interviewed on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme this morning. Discussing the tender for the successor to the Post Office card account (POCA), George set out the reasons why the Government could and should award the contract to the Post Office.

Listen to the interview here.

The fate of the POCA, and the likely impact of the Government's decision on the post office network, was also covered in several Sunday newspapers and again today in The Times.

Read the article in The Observer here.

Read the article in The Mail on Sunday here.

Read the article in the Sunday Telegraph here.

Read the article in Scotland on Sunday here.

Read the article in The Times here.

The extensive media interest in the POCA in recent weeks has been mirrored by activity in the House of Commons. During monthly questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland last week, senior MPs from the Labour Party, the Scottish National Party (SNP), the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats all raised questions on the POCA with Ministers. The transcript for the debate can be viewed here. The SNP's press release on the subject can be viewed here.

The POCA was also raised at weekly questions to the Leader of the House of Commons, with one Labour MP highlighting the volume of POCA campaign postcards he had received and calling on Ministers to make a statement about when the contract would be awarded. View the transcript here.

28/10/2008

George Thomson's Letter to the Prime Minister

Despite initial claims that the result of the Post Office card account tender would be announced over the summer the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has yet to declare the winner of the contract for the successor product.

In response to these repeated delays, NFSP General Secretary George Thomson has again written to the Prime Minister and the Secretaries of State for Work & Pensions and Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, making it clear that the delay in making the announcement is fuelling uncertainty and concern amongst subpostmasters that is inevitably damaging to the post office network.

The letter also reaffirms the fact that it is vital for the survival of the post office network that the contract remains with Post Office Ltd (POL) and that if the contract is lost the country will face 3,000 un-managed post office closures in addition to the 2,500 lost during Network Change.

Read George's letter here.

Read today's Guardian article about the letter here.

Read today's Financial Times article about the letter here.

Read today's Daily Telegraph article about the letter here.

Read today's Mirror article about the letter here.

27/10/2008

Royal Mail's Half Year Trading Statement

Royal Mail has released its half year trading statement. The portion of the report dedicated to the post office network emphasises the need for Post Office Ltd. to win the competitive tender for the Post Office card account (POCA) describing the contract as being of "critical importance" and "central to the future of the branch network".

The NFSP's General Secretary, George Thomson has echoed this sentiment stating: "We would strongly support the point made today by Royal Mail that it is crucial for Post Office Ltd. to win the contract to run the successor to the current Post Office card account.

"Without the POCA, used by more than four million people a year, the future viability of the network will be in serious doubt, with the real possibility that as many as 3,000 more post offices could close."

Read Royal Mail's press release concerning the report here.

Read the Daily Telegraph's article on the trading statement here.

06/10/2008

NFSP Press Release on POCA Decision.

The NFSP has issued a press release 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). View the latest NFSP press release here.

Articles discussing the importance of the Post Office card account to the future of the Post Office network have been published in today's Daily Telegraph and yesterday's Observer.

Read the Observer article here and the Telegraph article here.

The NFSP has been campaigning extensively to ensure that the card account remains a Post Office product. If the account is lost the NFSP predicts that there will be 3,000 un-managed closures, following the 2,500 managed closures carried out under Network Change. This would leave significant gaps in the national network of post offices and ensure that Post Office Ltd. would lose the critical mass required to successfully bid for future contracts.

Even after Network Change is completed at the end of the year, the post office network will remain larger than all of the major bank and building society networks combined. It currently serves 24 million customers a week across the UK. Many card account customers do not have bank accounts for a variety of reasons - from poor credit history to a distrust of banks; for many, there is not a bank branch near where they live, while many others simply prefer to carry out their business at the Post Office.

Given its unrivalled geographical reach, its status as a trusted brand, and its ability to provide a seamless transition from the card account to its successor it is clear that the Post Office is best placed to continue to provide this service.

Details of the NFSP's campaign can be found on the POCA campaign page.

03/10/2008

Post Offices and Local Authorities

NFSP Executive Officer for North Thames and East Anglia Jim Nott has been interviewed by the BBC Politics Show East on his views on the role of local authorities in providing Post Office services. Read the interview.

25/09/2008

Postwatch ceases operations on October 1

The consumer watchdog for postal services, Postwatch is set to cease operations on October 1 (though a small contingent of staff will remain until the end of the Network Change programme).

From October 1 the role of Poswatch will be fulfilled by the new organisation, Consumer Focus, an amalgamation of the National Consumer Council, Energywatch and Postwatch.

The NFSP hopes that Postwatch's amalgamation into Consumer Focus with its considerably broader remit will not weaken its focus on the postal sector, and that post offices will remain a top priority for the new organisation.

Postwatch has issued a valedictorian letter to the minister responsible for the postal industry, Pat McFadden which can be viewed here.

The newly launched Consumer Focus website can be found here.

16/09/2008

Post Office card account campaign

The winner of the competitive tender for the successor to the Post Office card account (POCA) contract has yet to be announced.

As such it is vital that the NFSP's campaign continues to put pressure on the Government to make the right decision and award the contract to Post Office Ltd. The best way for subpostmasters to help achieve this is through the NFSP's postcard campaign. The postcards call on MPs to write to the Prime Minister and sign EDM 1506 in support of maintaining the card account's status as a Post Office product.

Parliament is set to return from summer recess on October 6 so a renewed influx of postcards to MPs will help to ensure that they are aware of the importance of the card account to the future of the post office network.

For more information on the campaign and acquiring more postcards please see the POCA Campaign page.

29/08/2008

NFSP Forum

The NFSP Forum offers NFSP members the opportunity to share advice and ideas online, with new members signing up every day.

The main feature in the September issue of The Subpostmaster is dedicated to the forum, offering hints on how to get the most from the forum and examples of the kind of conversations already taking place there.

The NFSP has also launched a promotion to further encourage membership - The 500th member will be awarded £50 in vouchers (terms and conditions are available in the 'News to Branches' section of the website).

28/08/2008

Irish Benefit at Post Offices

The Irish government has announced its intention to cease making unemployment benefit payments directly into bank accounts, instead requiring claimants to sign on and collect benefits at post offices on a weekly basis.

The decision has been made in an attempt to curb fraud by foreign and Irish workers who have left Ireland for jobs abroad but continue to claim benefit in Ireland.

Read the Department of Social and Family Affairs press release

27/08/2008

New Economics Foundation Report

Economic think tank, the New Economics Foundation has issued a briefing entitled ‘Keeping Britain Posted’ in which it examines the role the post office network has to play in combating financial exclusion.

The report addresses the vital role that the Post Office card account plays in encouraging financial inclusion and states that it is vital the Post Office win the tender for its successor product.

Beyond this, the report calls for the functionality of the card account to be greatly increased - arguing that it should “closely resemble a current account”.

The report also offers international case studies of how Postbanking has worked abroad.

Read the report here

23/07/2008

Benevolent Fund Update

The NFSP Benevolent Fund is an independent charity funded mainly by investment income and donations from members.

The Fund makes a wide variety of grants ranging from those which made improvements to the mobility of individuals such as assisting with the purchase of a stair lift, mobility scooter and electric wheelchair to enhancing individuals day-to-day living conditions by contributing to new heating systems and the installation of windows.

Commenting on the donations received to date in 2008 Michael Darvill, Benevolent Fund Chair said: “I extend my thanks to all those individuals and Branches who have made contributions to the Fund. In particular I was delighted by the generosity of Branches and members during Conference. Our fundraising efforts, for the Fund and Help the Hospices, were a great success. Members’ support ensures that the Fund is able to continue providing much needed assistance to our colleagues and their families in times of personal need. If you know anyone who may benefit from the Benevolent Fund’s support please do get in touch.”

The Fund received donations totaling £10,703.95 in the period from January 1 to June 30 2008 as follows:

Branch Total: £2,778.45
Ayrshire - £44.00
Bicester & Oxford - £100.00
Dundee & District - £326.21
Exeter - £250.00
Kings Lynn & North Norfolk - £37.00
Lands End & Mid Cornwall - £250.00
North East Wales - £1000.00
North East Regional Council - £333.50
Northern Ireland - £137.74
Nottinghamshire - £300

Individual serving and retired subpostmasters: £1,105.50

Branch Donations at Conference Total: £5,740.00
Aberdeen - £500.00
Bicester & Oxford - £250.00
Birmingham - £225.00
Colchester & Chelmsford - £200.00
Derby - £750.00
Doncaster - £750.00
Liverpool - £1,000.00
North Thames & East Anglia Regional Council - £215.00
Peterborough & Boston - £250.00
Plymouth - £250.00
Sheffield Amalgamated - £250.00
South of Scotland - £1,000.00
Taunton - £100.00

Individual donations collected at Conference Gala Dinner: £1,080.00

To contribute or find out more about eligibility for a grant please contact NFSP Headquarters on 01273 452 324.

21/07/2008

NFSP Communications Officer

The National Federation of SubPostmasters is recruiting a Communications Officer. For further information, click to download the following (in pdf format) -

Candidates should submit a CV and covering letter, detailing their skills and experience in relation to the requirements of the person specification and job description. References will not be taken up until after interview.

Completed applications should be sent by e-mail to admin@nfsp.org.uk or by post to: NFSP, Evelyn House, 22 Windlesham Gardens, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5AZ

The closing date for applications to this post is 10am on Wednesday 13 August 2008. Interviews will be held at NFSP Headquarters in Shoreham-by-Sea, near Brighton, on Wednesday 20 August 2008.

18/07/2008

Subpostmaster 2008

This year’s FREE Subpostmaster 2008 Exhibition will be held in the National Hall, Olympia, London on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September.

The UK’s only dedicated event for convenience, news and post office retailers you’ll find lots of great ideas for developing your retail business.

Registration is FREE. Call 0845 218 6055 or register online at www.subpostmastershow.co.uk

Read more about Subpostmaster 2008.

03/07/2008

The Subpostmaster Reader Survey

Following the introduction of the new style Subpostmaster magazine the NFSP is keen to ensure that the magazine continues to meet the needs of members.

We value the views of our members, and ask that members either complete the survey distributed with the July edition of The Subpostmaster or the online version available in the members-only section of the website.

View the member surveys webpage to complete The Subpostmaster Reader Survey 2008.

03/07/2008

Quick guide to using the NFSP forum

The NFSP is pleased to report that following the launch of the forum at the beginning of June 2008, over 130 members have registered.

A quick guide to using the forum has been produced to help members get started on the forum. It is hoped that this will encourage more members to use the forum to share views and debate issues with colleagues.

View the guide and more information on the forum on the forum webpage.

01/07/2008

Postwatch Counters Advisory Group - POCA Letter to DWP

The NFSP is among 17 national organisations which have jointly written to the Government to warn of the consequences for the post office network if Ministers choose to award the contract for the successor to the Post Office card account (POCA) to a competitor.

Members of the Counters Advisory Group, chaired by Postwatch, have written to Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell MP setting out their concerns on POCA. The group states that -

The contract for the POCA successor should be awarded to Post Office Ltd (POL).
Customers who want to collect their pensions and benefits from their post office should continue to be free to do so.
Failure to award the contract to POL would have a significant impact on the number of post offices remaining in the network.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) must not issue further misleading information to customers on their current future payment options; but instead make clear all available options, including POCA.

Click here to view the letter in full.

NFSP members should view the POCA Campaign page to see how they can take action to support the campaign.

02/06/2008

Select Committee Report Published

The NFSP has welcomed today's publication of the report by the House of Commons Business and Enterprise Committee on Network Change.

The report concludes that it is vital that the Post Office win the contract for the successor to the Post Office Card Account (POCA2) and that the Independent Review of Mail Services and Postcomm must take full account of the effects of reform to mail services on the post office network.

It also calls for a renewed commitment by the Post Office that it will not allow the network to shrink below the 11,500 outlets that will remain after the Network Change Programme has been completed.

View the full NSP press release on the report. View the Business and Enterprise Committee's report.

30/05/2008

NFSP Forum

The NFSP is pleased to announce the launch of a forum for members to communicate with each other.

NFSP members are encouraged to use the forum to share views and discuss current issues with one another. The launch of the site is the culmination of a Motion carried at Annual Conference 2007 by the Leicester Branch and Midland Regional Council.

In addition to general forums for members to share problems, discuss current hot topics, and help and advise colleagues, dedicated regional forums have been created. It is hoped that this will provide a useful place for the discussion of local issues and allow members in those areas to share information specific to them and publicise their meetings and events.

NFSP members can read more about how to register on the NFSP forum web page.

28/05/2008

Post Office card account campaign

The NFSP is taking action to secure the contract for the Post Office and a future for the post office network.

The Post Office card account (POCA) is under threat. The Government is currently deciding which company will operate the successor to the Post Office card account (POCA2) from 2010. Although Post Office Ltd (POL) has made a strong bid, it is far from certain that it will win the contract.

If the Government does not award the contract to POL, the post office network will go into further decline. The NFSP estimates that the loss of POCA income and associated footfall will force 3,000 more post offices to close. This decision will have an impact on all post offices – if POL does not need to pay out £27 billion in cash each year through POCA, it will not need to raise large amounts of cash through other services, and the entire business model will unravel.

The NFSP has supplied subpostmasters across the UK with posters to display in their offices; postcards for customers to complete for return to local MPs; and guidance on how to contact their local MP and newspaper Editor.

By ensuring subpostmasters’ voices – and those of post office customers – are heard in the press, in Parliament and within Government the NFSP hopes to ensure that POCA2 is secured for POL, as a building block towards a sustainable future for the entire post office network.

Read more about Subpostmaster 2007.

13/07/2007

NFSP Statement on Planned Strike Action at Crown Post Offices

The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) has issued a statement to clarify that its members are not involved in the strike action affecting Crown post offices, scheduled for Monday 16 and Thursday 19 July. The UK’s network of sub post offices – which make up 97% of the national post office network – will remain open for business as usual on both days.

Read the full statement here.

28/06/2007

NFSP Response to Changes in Government

The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) has welcomed today’s announcement by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown on the creation of a new Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which will include postal services within its remit, and the appointment of Rt Hon John Hutton MP as Secretary of State to the new Department.

NFSP General Secretary George Thomson said: “We look forward to working with John Hutton, his Ministerial team and other Cabinet Ministers in the coming months to continue the vital work of building a sustainable future for the national Post Office Network.

“We believe that the new Secretary of State must also use this opportunity to deliver a joined-up approach to the
network across Government. It is widely acknowledged that up to now we have seen the opposite of this, with one
government department supporting the network while others undermine it by removing work from the Post Office.

“We will call on John Hutton to act as a champion in Government for the Post Office; to ensure that those working across Government, the devolved administrations and local authorities think “Post Office First” and look to the network as the best means to deliver government services to communities across the UK.”

27/06/2007

NFSP Statement On Proposed Postal Strike

Below is the text of an NFSP Press Statement issued today in order to clarify any confusion regarding sub post offices and Friday's proposed strike action:

The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) wishes to make clear that its members are not involved in the strike action scheduled for Friday June 29 affecting other parts of the postal services sector. The UK’s network of sub post offices – which make up 97% of the national post office network – will remain open for business.

George Thomson, General Secretary of the NFSP, said: “The NFSP wants to see the Communication Workers Union and Royal Mail Management try to reach a settlement to this dispute as a matter of urgency, for the sake of Post Office and Royal Mail customers throughout the country.”

14/06/2007

Trade and Industry Committee

The House of Commons Trade & Industry Committee published its report at the weekend on the Government's plans to restructure the Post Office Network.

The all-party Committee of MPs issued an initial report in March on the Government's proposals for the network. Now, with the Government having finalised its plans for the network and having issued its response to the Committee's report, the Committee has issued a second report which seeks further clarification on a number of issues around which MPs remain concerned.

These include -

Government and Post Office Ltd must pay greater attention to the "urgent" need to improve the business prospects of those subpostmasters remaining in the network after the current period of restructuring. The Committee fears that without this issue being addressed, it is difficult to see how the profitability of the network can be improved in the future.
How the Government and Post Office Ltd will deal with unplanned post office closures in the future which may leave geographic gaps in the network.
Concern that the six week period for local consultation on post office closure plans is insufficient.

In response to the report, the Federation issued the following press statement:

"The NFSP agrees with the Committee that the current situation of increasing financial losses and unplanned closures of post offices has undermined the entire network. Whilst we bitterly regret the planned closure of up to 2,500 post offices we accept that it, alongside a review of the network, is a necessary first step in establishing a sustainable network for the future. Any extension to the six week public consultation period for closures, as proposed
by the Committee, would significantly add to the pain, confusion and uncertainty already facing subpostmasters.

We are delighted that the Post Office card account will have a successor. However, NFSP shares the Committee’s concerns that the Government has decided not to extend the functions of the Post Office card account to include cash deposits. It is essential to the future of the network that Post Office Ltd wins the contract for the new account, which is currently out to tender.

NFSP also wholeheartedly agrees with the Committee, that the role of the Government and Royal Mail Group cannot be to manage the decline of the network.

George Thomson, General Secretary of the National Federation of SubPostmasters said: “Government has a responsibility to think "post office first" in directing its own business into the network. Government should work with local authorities and devolved administrations to ensure that they too think "post office first", in terms of their own
services that could be conducted through the network.

“Government should also increase its efforts to encourage all major banks to offer access to all their accounts at post offices. Additionally it’s vital that Post Office Ltd and Royal Mail develop new products and services that
people will use and that bring much-needed income to sub post offices. Without these measures the post office network risks large scale unplanned closures, as subpostmasters struggle to stay open.”

NFSP believes Government investment in a network which touches the lives of 24 million people every week, including some of the most vulnerable people in society, is a good use of taxpayers’ money. We support this continued investment which is absolutely crucial in sustaining the network into the future."

Click here to download the full report. Click here to view the NFSP's original written evidence submitted to the committee's enquiry.

25/05/2007

Statement to the Scottish Parliament on the Future of the Post Office Network

The new Scottish Executive's Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney MSP made a statement to the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday on the future of the post office network in Scotland. This follows the statement made by Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling MP to Parliament on the UK Government's decision on the future of the network, announced on 17 May.

The Cabinet Secretary's statement set out the potential implications for Scotland of the UK Government decision, and highlighted the high level of interest in Post Office issues within Scotland demonstrated by the high response rate from Scotland to the UK Government's consultation document.

The Cabinet Secretary made clear his intention to review ways in which public services, including the provision of Post Office services, could be joined-up at a local level; and the possibility of post offices being used as integrated providers of local services and information.

MSPs from all parties went on to debate the statement, raising issues including the impact of the Government's proposals on remote and island communities; concerns about public trust in Post Office outreach services, such as mobile post offices, which are due to increase in number; the impact of post office closures on other local businesses; and the future of the Scottish Crown post offices.

Click here to read the Cabinet Secretary's statement and the subsequent parliamentary debate in full.

Last week saw the Trade and Industry Secretary's statement on the future of the network in the UK followed on 18 May by a Westminster Hall debate tabled by Simon Hughes MP (Lib Dem, North Southwark & Bermondsey) on the future of Crown post offices in London.

18/05/2007

Government Announces Tender For POCA Successor

The Department for Work and Pensions yesterday started the tender process for a successor to the Post Office card account, following the statement from Alistair Darling on the future of the network.

In a Written Statement to the House of Commons yesterday, DWP Minister James Plaskitt MP set out the initial details of requirements of the new product which the Government intends will replace the current card account from 2010. These include the requirement that customers should be able to access their cash at ATMs.

Under EU procurement rules, it is necessary for the new contract to go out to tender.

The NFSP will continue to work with Post Office Ltd, the Government and other parties to ensure that the Post Office stands the best possible chance to win the contract.

Click here to read the DWP statement.

17/05/2007

Government Statement On Future Of Post Office Network

The National Federation of SubPostmasters today states that the time has come to focus on the future by building a viable and sustainable post office network.

Following months of uncertainty faced by subpostmasters and post office users, the NFSP welcomes today’s statement from the Government on its proposals for the network, announced by Alistair Darling, as a first step in achieving this vision.

Confirmation of plans to press ahead with a successor to the Post Office card account and to extend the Social Network Payment to 2011 signify a victory for the NFSP’s campaign, which culminated in an unprecedented petition of four million names being handed to 10 Downing Street during a lobby of Parliament last October.

However, the NFSP is disappointed that the Government has so far failed to take note of our concerns of the need for more investment in the sub post office network, and of the need for the network to be better used by Government to deliver key services and by Post Office Ltd to deliver a full range of banking and other products.

The NFSP bitterly regrets the planned closure of up to 2,500 post offices but accepts that the move, backed up by funds to compensate those forced to shut, is a necessary first step in establishing a sustainable post office network for the future in view of the level of decline in Government business in recent years.

Colin Baker, General Secretary of The National Federation of SubPostmasters, said: “Today’s announcement must be seen as an opportunity to take the first vital steps towards building a post office network that has a future, one that is viable and sustainable. It is time to look forward, not back.

“Everyone tells us that when a post office closes, the heart of the community dies. Our goal is of a network, both rural and urban, that will thrive and attract new investment, both from current subpostmasters and those considering joining the network; a goal of sustainable communities anchored by sustainable post offices. Crucial to this was establishing a recovery package with the Government, the basis of which has finally been reached today.

“Plans to introduce a successor to the Post Office card account and to extend the payment made for the social and economic service provided by the network are both crucial to the recovery package and represent a victory for the subpostmasters and their customers.

“The Government should not be reluctant or embarrassed to invest in the sub post offices. We believe that support for a network which touches the lives of 24 million people every week, including some of the most vulnerable people in society, is a good use of taxpayers’ money.

“In the meantime, we shall be keeping up the pressure on Government to stay true to its commitments and to deliver the investment and new products and services required to make sure that the new network is given the best possible chance to survive and thrive in the future.”

Click here to view the statement to Parliament.

16/05/2007

NFSP Annual Conference 2007

Subpostmasters from across the UK are making final preparations for next week's NFSP Annual Conference. The focal point of the year for subpostmasters and the Federation will take place at Hinckley Island in Leicestershire between Monday 21 and Wednesday 23 May. It comes at a critical time for the UK's post offices, with a long-awaited decision now expected imminently from the Government on future products, services and funding for the network.

Delegates are to be addressed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP, who will set out details of the Government's plans, which are expected to be announced to Parliament this week.

Post Office Ltd's Marketing Director Gary Hockey-Morley is also to address Conference, and the three days will offer delegates the opportunity to debate a full range of issues affecting the network and subpostmasters' businesses.

There will also be a larger than ever number of exhibitors, offering delegates an opportunity to discuss a wide range of products.

Conference will also mark the end of an era as General Secretary Colin Baker stands down after 16 years in position. George Thomson, currently NFSP Executive Officer for Scotland, will take up the position immediately after Conference.

Members should contact their Branch Secretary for further information on Conference. Click here to view the NFSP press release on Conference.

11/05/2007

Government Decision on Network Future Imminent

We anticipate the Government will announce its decision on plans for the future of the post office network, between now and the start of NFSP's annual conference on 21 May. This follows an extensive consultation period in which the Government received 2,500 written responses.

The Government is expected to announce the continuation of the £150m a year to support the ‘social’ post office network. 2,500 post office closures and 500 new ‘outreach’ outlets are likely to be declared.

We are also anticipating a decision to introduce a replacement for the Post Office card account with increased functionality from 2010 - the contract for which it is essential that Post Office Ltd wins.

News about further business opportunities for the network as well as increased roles for local authorities and devolved administrations is also expected.

NFSP believes that government funding, additional Post Office products and services, as well as more local and central government work, is critical for ensuring a viable and sustainable post office network for the future.

Click here to read NFSP's submission to Government.

25/04/2007

Westminster Hall Debate On Future Of Rural Post Office Network

The future of the post office network was again raised in Parliament yesterday. Danny Alexander MP (Lib Dem, Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey) tabled a debate on the future of the rural network in Westminster Hall, the House of Commons' "second chamber".

MPs from across the UK raised concerns regarding the postponement from March to May of the Government's decision on future plans for the network. The Minister for Post Offices, Jim Fitzpatrick MP, repeated the Government's position that the delay had occurred in order to allow it time to fully consider the 2,500 responses received to the public consultation on the future of the network: "what has happened is a straightforward case of volume."

In response to MPs' concerns about the uncertainty suffered by subpostmasters and their customers due to the delay, the Minister highlighted details of the schedule for any closure programme: "We had hoped to make an announcement in March and we wanted to make an announcement then, although it would not have killed the uncertainty: it would have been our announcement of the access criteria and comments made on them, but would not have listed the offices that needed to be restructured. That will be done by Post Office Ltd six or eight weeks after we make the announcement, whenever that happens, in March or May."

Many MPs offered suggestions of other services which could be offered through the network and criticised the Government for the removal of government services, particularly TV licences, from post offices. Others praised the decision to develop a successor to the Post Office card account with increased functionality after 2010, but expressed the view that is was essential that Post Office Ltd won the contract when it is put out to tender.

MPs also raised concerns about the impact of post office closures on local communities and local businesses, and on efforts to promote social and financial inclusion; and on the consequences of increased car useage as a result of customers having to travel further to access their nearest branch. Questions were posed by several Members about the access criteria proposed by the Government for the restructured network, with calls for Ministers to ensure that local transport links and physical boundaries such as lochs and mountains were factored into any plans.

Click here to view the debate in full.

16/04/2007

Communications Officer

The NFSP is seeking to recruit a Communications Officer.

Click to download the job description, person specification and terms and conditions for the post; as well as background information on the NFSP and our equality statement.

Applicants should submit a CV and covering letter detailing their skills and experience in relation to the job description and person specification. References will not be taken until after interview.

The closing date for applications is 10am on Tuesday 8 May 2007. Interviews will be held on Thursday 17
May 2007.

For further information call the NFSP on 01273 452324 or e-mail admin@nfsp.org.uk

23/03/2007

Government Delays Decision on Future of Network

The Government has announced that it will delay until May its decision on the future of the post office network. This follows more than 2,500 responses to the public consultation on the Governments proposals for the network.

Postal Services Minister Jim Fitzpatrick MP told the House of Commons yesterday that in order to fully consider all of the responses received, the decision - which had been expected within the next few weeks - would not now be made until after the elections to the Welsh Assembly, Scottish Parliament and Local Authorities on 3 May 2007.

Click here to read the Minister's statement.

07/03/2007

NFSP Response to DTI Consultation on Post Office Network

The National Federation of SubPostmasters has today published its written response to the Government's consultation on the post office network.

The consultation was launched following the proposals on the future of the network made to the House of Commons by Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling in December 2006.

The NFSP welcomes the proposals as an important first step in creating a viable and sustainable network for the future.

In particular, we are pleased to see the Government's recognition of the vital social and economic role played by post offices and of the need for Government to fund those parts of the network which cannot be commercially viable; and the extension to 2011 of the £150m per year Social Network Payment, funding from Government to Post Office Ltd to support such post offices. However, we have concerns whether the funding is adequate to achieve this purpose.

We also welcome the decision to introduce a replacement for the Post Office card account (POCA) with increased functionality from 2010, but stress the need to ensure that there is a seamless migration for current POCA users onto the new product; and the damage which will be caused to the network if Post Office Ltd fails to win the contract for the new card account.

However, the NFSP stresses that without additional investment in the sub post office network; further central, devolved and local government work delivered through the network; and greater clarity on the new products and services to be offered, we will not see the thriving network which subpostmasters and their customers are calling for.

For further information, click to download a copy of the full written response to the consultation; or to view the NFSP press release on its response.

06/03/2007

House Of Commons Trade and Industry Committee Report On Future Of Post Office Network

The National Federation of SubPostmasters has welcomed the publication today of the House of Commons Trade and Industry Committee report on the future of the post office network, citing its key findings as a valuable contribution to the current debate on the future of the network.

With the Government’s public consultation on its proposals for the future of the network due to close on Thursday 8 March, the NFSP is gratified to see many of its own concerns and recommendations echoed by the Committee.

NFSP General Secretary Colin Baker said: “The NFSP has welcomed the Government’s proposals as an important first step in achieving a viable network of post offices for the future. Like the Committee, we believe it is essential that this proposed restructuring results in a sustainable national network with no further closures necessary.
However we have made clear our belief that further work must be undertaken to ensure this is achieved, in particular on new Post Office products and services to be developed to safeguard the network’s viability.

“We applaud the Committee’s emphasis on the vital social and economic service which post offices offer to individuals
and small businesses in communities across the country, and its belief that this means that the network deserves to
be supported by the Government. The NFSP has welcomed the Government’s proposals to extend the Social Network Payment to 2011, to support the commercially unviable parts of the network. However, we support the Committee’s request for clarification on whether the proposed payments are to support both the rural and urban sections of the network, and share the Committee’s concern that the payment is not indexed linked, as both of these outcomes will mean a real terms reduction in the payment.

“Furthermore, we are concerned that this funding alone won’t achieve a revitalised network. We support the Committee’s call for appropriate remuneration for subpostmasters, without whose investment and commitment the network would not be able to function. Equally we believe that the Government also needs to provide further real investment for sub post offices if the network is to sustain and flourish in the future.”

“We are pleased to note that the Committee recommends that the Government should revisit the concept of post offices as a one-stop-shop for Government services. Similarly, we warmly welcome the Government’s decision to develop a successor to the Post Office card account in 2010 with increased functionality, but we share the Committee’s view that there must be a seamless migration for POCA users onto the new account, and have very real concerns about the implications for the post office network if Post Office Ltd is not awarded the contract for the new account.”

Click here to view the Federation's written response to the Committee's inquiry.

02/03/2007

NFSP Executive Council Elected

NFSP members have elected representatives to serve on the Federation's Executive Council between 2007 and 2010. Executive Officers are serving subpostmasters and have collective responsibility for the management of the organisation. Elections are triennial.

Click here to view nominations. Click here to view ballot results.

23/02/2007

Annual Review 2006

The National Federation of SubPostmasters has published its 2006 Annual Review. Click here to download a copy.

Copies of the review will be sent to members within the forthcoming March edition of The Subpostmaster. To request additional copies, please e-mail Federation Headquarters or call us on 01273 452324.

23/02/2007

European Commission Launches Investigation Into UK Government Funding Of Royal Mail

The European Commission has launched an in-depth investigation into the UK Government's funding of Royal Mail. The Commission will focus on three Government loans to the company totalling £1.8 billion, together with other funding designed to enable Royal Mail to offset its pensions deficit. The investigation will determine whether these financing arrangements were made on commercial terms and therefore meet EU "State Aid" rules, or whether they amount to an illegal subsidy.

The investigation follows complaints from Royal Mail's competitors, who claim that the state-owned company has enjoyed an unfair competitive advantage over them. The UK's postal market was opened to competition in Janaury 2006, ahead of most other EU Member States. In recent months, Royal Mail has lost a number of major clients to rival mails operators.

EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes states: "The postal sector is increasingly open to competition, and it is important to reassure competitors that the advantages of that opening are not neutralised by illegal state subsidies."

Royal Mail and the Department of Trade and Industry are both reported to be confident that the investigation will find that the funding arrangements are entirely legal.

Though Post Office Ltd forms part of Royal Mail Group, the Commission makes clear that its investigation does not concern UK Government payments to the post office network. The Commission approved the most recent increase in Government funding for the network, which saw the Social Network Payment (the £150 million annual payment to Post Office Ltd to maintain unprofitable parts of the rural network) extended from 2006 to 2008. Proposed further funding for the network, announced by the Government on 14 December 2006 as part of its proposals for the future of the network, will be subject to EU State Aid clearance. These proposals are currently open to public consultation.

Click here to view the announcement from the European Commission.

09/02/2007

NFSP Elects New General Secretary

NFSP's current General Secretary, Colin Baker, will retire in May 2007. Federation members have elected a new General Secretary, George Thomson. Mr Thomson will take up the post on 23 May.

Click here for the full election results.

08/02/2007

Secretary of State Quizzed on Govt Proposals

The House of Commons Trade and Industry Select Committee has cross-questioned Government ministers and officials on their plans for the post office network. Issues discussed include Government investment, post office closures, access criteria, the Post Office card account and withdrawal of Government business from the post office network.

NFSP has been asked to submit a formal response to this oral evidence session.

Click here to view the transcript of the discussion.

19/01/2007

Update On Government Post Office Consultation

The Government is currently consulting on the future of the post office network. Proposals include maintaining the Post Office card account beyond 2010 and developing a successor product; maintaining the £150m a year Social network payment which supports the service provided by rural post offices; the phased closure of around 2,500 post offices.

The public consultation on these proposals lasts until 8 March 2007, and NFSP will submit a full written response. Other organisations and individuals are also invited to respond. Click here for a copy of the consultation document.

We anticipate that consultations about closures of specific post offices are likely to begin in the summer. We expect individual subpostmasters will be consulted about whether they wish their post office to remain open. However, individual subpostmaster's requirements would not be the only deciding factor. But it is worth noting that currently no-one can say which post offices, if any, are to close.

If a post office closure programme does go ahead, NFSP will work to ensure compensation for any subpostmasters whose offices have to close.

19/01/2007

Government Responds to Trade and Industry Committee Report

The Government has published its response to the Trade and Industry Committee report on Royal Mail Group. In the response the Government reiterates the view that their recent proposals and package of support are intended to maintain a national post office network with national coverage.

The Government says it recognises the important social and economic role the network plays particularly in rural communities and deprived urban areas. It says the proposed £1.7bn financial package will invest in the long-term health of the network and put it in a better position to compete for specific contracts.

Click here to read the Government's response in full.

15/01/2007

Assistant General Secretary

The National Federation of SubPostmasters is seeking to recruit an Assistant General Secretary.

Click here for further information and details on how to apply. The closing date for applications is 2 February 2007, with interviews to be held on 13 February.

12/01/2007

Opposition Day Debate On Future Of Sub Post Office Network

In the week that parliament returned following the Christmas recess, the Conservatives used Wednesday's Opposition Day debate to table the following motion on the future of the sub post office network -

"That this House recognises the contribution that sub-post offices make in communities across the country; pays
tribute to sub-postmasters and postmistresses for the service they provide; believes that sub-post offices have a
key role to play in delivering new services in those communities for local councils, businesses and consumers;
condemns the Government’s short-sighted plan to close 2,500 sub-post offices; and urges the Government to allow
sub-post offices greater freedom to develop their businesses."

Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Duncan MP said that the debate was in response to the Government's announcement on 14 December 2006 on the future of the network, on which he suggested there remained several unanswered questions. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP, defended the Government's proposals.

In almost three hours of debate, MPs from all parties and all corners of the country put forward their views and concerns on the future of the network. The future of the Post Office card account; ways in which national and local government could use the network as a channel for services; the new access criteria proposed by the Government; and concern over potential post office closures were among the many themes debated. Several MPs cited examples of subpostmasters in their constituencies, praising the contribution they make to their communities.

The motion was defeated by 310 votes to 241. Click here to read the full debate.

08/01/2007

December 2006 Payslips

NFSP Branch Secretaries have been sent further information obtained following a request to Post Office Ltd, which aims to enable subpostmasters to better understand their December 2006 payslips and to check they have received the correct remuneration.

This follows confusion after the inclusion in the December 2006 payslip of arrears payments following the implementation of the 2006 pay deal. Federation members should click here to read the document in full.

08/01/2007

Citizens Advice Post Office Survey

National charity Citizens Advice has launched an online survey on the Post Office. Its aim is to give the public an opportunity to have their say on the future of the network. Issues covered within the survey include which Post Office services people use and how their community would be affected if their local branch were to close.

Citizens Advice says that the results of the survey, which runs until the end of January 2007, will inform its response to the Government's consultation on the future of the network. Click here to take part in the survey. Click here to read the Citizens Advice press release announcing the launch of the survey.

22/12/2006

Merry Christmas

The National Federation of SubPostmasters wishes to thank all of those we have worked with over the course of a busy 2006.

Thanks in large part to the efforts over the year of subpostmasters, their customers, MPs and other elected members, and the many campaigning and interest groups we have worked alongside, the Government has published proposals intended to safeguard the future of the Post Office network.

We thank all of these groups, and the many individuals far too numerous to name, for all of their efforts on behalf of the nation's post offices and the unique and valuable services they provide to communities across the country.

In 2007, the Federation will continue to work with all of these groups to ensure that the national Post Office network has a viable and sutainable future.

We wish all our members and their customers a very merry Christmas and a happy and successful 2007.

14/12/2006

NFSP Response to Government Annoucement on Future of Post Office Network

Retention of Post Office card account and renewal of Social Network Payment “a victory for nation and for common sense”
NFSP to work closely with Government to ensure commitments are met
Deep regret over planned post office closures

The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) today said the Government’s proposed post office package provided a welcome first step to arrest the decline of the post office network.

But the Federation remained unconvinced that the package announced by Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling will in itself draw a line under difficulties faced by the Post Office and bring about the NFSP’s goal of a sustainable national network of post offices.

Following months of campaigning, the Federation hailed Government plans to maintain the Post Office card account (POCA) – used by 4.3 million people – beyond 2010 and to develop a successor product with increased functionality as a “victory for the nation and for common sense.”

This decision to allow customers to continue to claim their pensions and benefits at the Post Office follows an NFSP petition of four million names presented to 10 Downing Street in October during a major lobby of Parliament attended by thousands of subpostmasters and their customers. It signals a major reverse from original Government plans announced in January this year to end POCA by 2010 and to migrate customers from the card account to payment into bank accounts by that date.

The Government’s announcement today that it will also maintain the £150 million a year Social Network Payment – which supports the social and economic service provided to communities by thousands of valued rural post offices across the country – up to 2011 also represents a major achievement for the Federation’s campaign. However, the Federation expressed concern that the funding was not linked to RPI and would therefore lose value over time.

Plans for consultation on the phased closure of around 2,500 post offices were deeply regretted but are accepted by the NFSP as an unfortunately necessary part of establishing a sustainable post office network for the future, in view of the scale of withdrawal of Government business from the network in recent years and the consequent viability of some sub post offices as independent businesses.

Colin Baker, General Secretary of the NFSP spoke soon after today’s announcement.

He said: “We have campaigned very hard to protect post offices but we have always made it clear that the most important goal was to establish a post office network that is viable. Our goal is for a sustainable, thriving network, rural and urban alike, which delivers modern products and services for customers and can attract new investment, both from current subpostmasters and those considering joining the network.

“The package announced by the Government today goes some way to creating the conditions which can, over time, create a viable network. We warmly welcome the decision to retain the card account and the Social Network Payment as a victory for the nation and for common sense.”

“However, we need to see more details and to continue discussions with the Government and with Post Office Ltd to ensure new products and services are added to this package to deliver a truly viable and sustainable network for the future.”

“The NFSP welcomes the opportunity for public consultation on the future size and shape of the network. We bitterly regret the need to accept that some post offices will close and it is a sad indictment that a programme of closures is better than the slow death of the entire network. We are however reassured that we have won the recognition for the need for compensation for those subpostmasters forced to close their offices. We will work with Post Office Ltd and with the Government to ensure that the public aren’t left without access to Post Office services.”

“We hope that today’s proposals will allow us to draw a line under the uncertainty and difficulties experienced by the network this year. If post offices are given direction and support, the opportunity to continue to deliver Government services and to develop new products, we have the opportunity to create a truly sustainable network and to move forward towards a vibrant and viable future.”

“However, our campaign is not over. Post offices touch the lives of millions of people from all walks of life across the UK. We will therefore maintain the pressure on Government and on Royal Mail Group to deliver these commitments and to make sure that the network is given the best possible chance to succeed.”

The NFSP will hold a press conference at 3pm today in the John Tudor Room, Methodist Central Hall, Westminster. For press enquiries, call 01323 416999.

Click to view the statement to the House of Commons by Alistair Darling; the DTI consultation document; and the DTI press release.

12/12/2006

Press Speculation on the Future of the Network

In response to weekend press speculation on the future of the Post Office network, NFSP General Secretary Colin Baker has issued the following statement:

"We are expecting an announcement from the Government on the future of the Post Office this week. The press is full of speculation about the number of closures and appears to only want to talk about those closures.

"The NFSP is calling for a recovery package. We do not recognise any of the numbers in the newspapers, whether 7,000 or 10,000 closures. This is pure speculation and as such is very unhelpful. Any recovery programme must address the Post Office card account and the way people get their pensions and allowances, with further banking products, and clarity on Government support for the network - not only financial support, but support for products and services they want Post Offices to offer.

"We want a sustainable network of viable Post Offices, making them businesses that people will want to buy and sell. If in the process of getting that point, we have to look at the size and shape of the network, let’s do it - we don’t want to be here again in three years time talking about another round of closures. This is a recovery package, not a closure programme."

Today at the House of Commons, the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sub Post Offices convened a meeting of groups campaigning on the Post Office. The group agreed to co-ordinate future campaigning work on post office issues ahead of the Government's announcement on the future of the network expected later this week. Click here to view the press statement issued by the All Party Group following the meeting.

07/12/2006

UK and Scottish Parliaments In Further Post Office Debates

Parliamentary focus on the future of the Post Office network has continued to intensify, with debates and questions this week at Westminster and at Holyrood.

Demonstrating how big a political issue the network has become since the NFSP's rally and lobby of parliament on 18 October, post offices were raised at Prime Minister's Questions yesterday for the third time in seven weeks. John Barrett MP (Lib Dem, Edinburgh West) asked the Prime Minister about the Government's plans for the future of post offices, which saw Tony Blair defend the Government's record of investment in the network.

Debate also took place yesterday in the Scottish Parliament, with John Swinney MSP (SNP, North Tayside) tabling a motion on rural post offices in Scotland. This debate saw contributions from MSPs of all parties, and covered themes including the vital role of the Post Office for communities and for small businesses in rural Scotland; the future of the Post Office card account and of the Social Network Payment; and the removal of Government business through the Post Office by UK Government Departments and Agencies. Many highlighted the contributions of individual subpostmasters in their constituencies.

The previous day in the UK Parliament, Philip Hollobone MP (Con, Kettering) tabled a Westminster Hall debate on sub post offices in Northamptonshire. He set out the vital role played by post offices and the subpostmasters who run them in his constituency; and went on to highlight his concerns about the impact of the Government's decision to withdraw the Post Office card account and the uncertainty over the future of the Social Network Payment.

Click to read Prime Minister's Questions; and the debates in the Scottish Parliament and Westminster Hall.

04/12/2006

New Economics Foundation Report

The National Federation of SubPostmasters welcomes the New Economics Foundation (nef) report published today which examines the impact of changes to postal services in Manchester.

nef’s report, titled The Last Post, provides hard evidence of the significant knock-on impact of post office closures in urban areas. nef shows:

Each post office contributes £310,000 to the local economy each year, of which £120,000 is direct spending on local goods and services.
Following post office closures in Manchester, 60% of local businesses saw significant impacts to their business or the local area.

nef’s research highlights the danger that the loss of a post office can be the ‘tipping point’ triggering a downward cycle in urban areas leading to ghost communities with very few shops and services left. The report claims that post offices operate as anchors, attracting users to local shopping areas. In one case, nef found that a local post office closure resulted in 50% of local people buying their groceries elsewhere as a direct result of the post office
closure.

nef also finds 76% of people would be affected by the closure of their local post office and 53% of post office
users would find it difficult to travel to post offices further away.

NFSP believes this important new research confirms the absolutely critical role post offices play in safeguarding
local communities.

nef supports NFSP’s calls for the Government to undertake a thorough assessment of the social and economic role played by post offices in communities across the UK. Following this, Government needs to provide ongoing financial support to the non-commercial parts of the network for the social and economic service they provide.

Go to the Latest Press Releases page to view the full NFSP response. Click here to view the nef press release. Click here to view the full report.

01/12/2006

House of Commons Trade and Industry Questions

Post offices remain high on the political agenda as MPs called on the Government to take urgent action to secure the future of the network during Trade and Industry Questions in the House of Commons yesterday.

Members of Parliament from all political parties pressed the Minister with responsibility for the Post Office, Jim Fitzpatrick MP, on issues ranging from the future of the Social Network Payment to a successor product to the Post Office card account. Other issues raised included the need to support post offices in suburban areas and a call for post offices to be allowed to work with competitors to Royal Mail, with many MPs raising concerns and citing examples of the impact of Government policy on post offices in their constituencies.

Among his responses, the Minister stated: "We know that POCA must have a successor, and that Government assistance will be required to maintain a viable national network". He reiterated that the Government would publish its proposals on the future of the network before the Christmas parliamentary recess.

Click here to view the debate in full.

01/12/2006

Royal Mail Quarterly Quality of Service Targets

Royal Mail yesterday announced its best ever customer service performance. In the second quarter of 2006-07, 94.5% of First Class letters arrived the next working day after posting. This beats the 93% target agreed with the postal services regulator Postcomm and constitutes the best performance of any quarter on record.

Royal Mail reports that Second Class mail also achieved record results for the same three month period, beating its
target of 98.5% mail to arrive within three working days with a 99.1% performance.

Click here to view the Royal Mail anouncement.

20/11/2006

NFSP Response to Treasury Committee Report

The National Federation of SubPostmasters has welcomed the publication by the House of Commons Treasury Committee of its report "Banking The Unbanked: Banking Services, the Post Office Card Account and Financial Inclusion."

The report follows a lengthy inquiry by the Committee to which the NFSP submitted evidence. Among its recommendations to the Government, the Committee states that -

There will need to be a replacement to the Post Office card account (POCA) with greater functionality and that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) should work with Post Office Ltd to introduce this.
The Government is failing to maximise the potential of the post office network to promote financial inclusion.
The DWP and the Treasury should engage with banks to increase access to Post Office counter withdrawals for bank account holders.

Go to the Latest Press Releases page to read the NFSP response to the report. Click here to view the full report.

17/11/2006

2006 Best Post Office Awards

Members of the National Federation of SubPostmasters featured prominently among the winners at the 2006 Best Post Office Awards held yesterday in London.

The winners included the following NFSP members:

Best Town and City Winner - Hungerford Road Post Office, Crewe
Above and Beyond Winner - for people and branches which have gone the extra mile for their customers - Withycombe Raleigh Post Office, Exmouth
Charity Fundraising/Community Action Winner - for people and branches which have taken part in charity fundraising or community actions projects - Llangadog Post Office, Dyfed
Most Innovative Post Office Winner - Cnwch Coch Post Office, Aberystwyth
Overall Best Post Office 2006 Winner - Hungerford Road, Crewe

NFSP General Secretary Colin Baker said: "I would like to send my wholehearted congratulations to all those who took part in the Awards. I have attended a number of awards ceremonies and but have never before been to one where the genuine atmostphere of support which everyone had for one another has come across so strongly.

"I am of course delighted to see that the efforts of so many Federation members have been acknowledged by the judges.

"The highlight of the event for me came when the overall winner Alan Green was joined onstage to collect his award by his father, who was the subpostmaster before him. It brought home to me how this great industry of ours depends upon and is made up of wonderful individuals."

Full coverage of the event will be featured in the December edition of The Subpostmaster. Click here to read the Post Office Ltd press release on the Awards.

02/11/2006

Yesterday In Parliament

The Prime Minister has been called upon to clarify the future of the Social Network Payment after 2008. During yesterday's Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Robert Smith MP (Lib Dem, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) asked Mr Blair whether he accepted the recommendation of this week's Trade and Industry Committee report that the Government should commit to extending funding for the network beyond 2008.

The Prime Minister accepted "that there is a role for public subsidy" in view of the social role provided by the network; and highlighted his meeting with the NFSP on 18 October, stating subpostmasters "are doing an excellent job, often in very difficult circumstances, and providing a tremendous local service." He went on to stress the need to ensure a viable long-term future for subpostmasters.

The Government currently pays Post Office Ltd £150 million a year to support the social service provided by the commerically unprofitable parts of the rural network and to trial alternative methods of postal services provision in rural areas. This is set to end in March 2008, with no funding in place thereafter.

Earlier in the day, the Deputy Prime Minister faced a number of questions on post offices from MPs of all parties. POCA, the need for a joined up approach between Government Departments and the progress of the Cabinet Committee he chairs on the post office network were among the subjects raised following the NFSP's rally and lobby of parliament on 18 October.

Click to read the Hansard transcripts of Prime Minister's Questions and Questions to the Deputy Prime Minister on the post office network.

30/10/2006

Trade and Industry Committee

The National Federation of SubPostmasters has today welcomed the publication of a report by the House of Commons Trade and Industry Committee. The “Royal Mail Group” report describes “the sense of betrayal” among subpostmasters following the Government’s announcement that it will end the Post Office card account by 2010, and highlights the lack of joined-up thinking within Government regarding the post office network. Its publication follows the Committee’s inquiry on key issues facing Post Office Ltd and Royal Mail. NFSP gave written and oral evidence to the Committee.

Among its conclusions, the report states that –

the Government did not make clear that the Post Office card account contract would not be renewed after 2010.
as the DWP’s pilots to migrate POCA customers did not include an alternative to the POCA, the trials were not carried out in a “methodologically sound way” and so the Committee rejects the pilots’ conclusions.
the “perceived financial benefit from DWP’s ending of the POCA is questionable.”
“We believe that it is vital that across the whole of Government there is a clear recognition of the role that Post Offices play in delivering Government objectives in the community.”

It goes onto recommend that the Government must now take decisions on the future of the network, including for the Government to urgently commit to a payment to support the non-commercial parts of the network post-2008, when the Social Network Payment comes to an end, in order to safeguard the community service provided:

“If the country wants a comprehensive network of Post Offices to continue, a more explicit funding mechanism must be put in place, together with product diversification and a replacement for the Post Office Card Account.”

Click here to view the report. Click here to read the NFSP’s written submission to the inquiry. Click here to view the NFSP press statement in response to the report.

19/10/2006

NFSP Rally and Lobby of Parliament

Yesterday saw thousands of subpostmasters and their customers gather in London to call on the Government to take action to safeguard the future of the post office network.

Four million petition signatures – the largest domestic petition ever delivered to a Prime Minister – were delivered to 10 Downing Street, urging the Government to take action to safeguard the network; while General Secretary Colin Baker and National President Sally Reeves attended meetings with the Prime Minister and Leaders of the main Opposition parties to discuss subpostmasters’ concerns.

Hundreds of MPs held meetings with subpostmasters and concerned members of the public, while the threat to post offices was raised during Prime Minister’s Questions. The challenges being faced by subpostmasters and the urgent need for the Government to reach a decision on the future of the network couldn’t have had a higher profile, running as the lead story in the media throughout the day.

Earlier on, the rally witnessed stirring speeches from Federation representatives and from the chair and secretary of the All Party Group for Sub Post Offices, Kate Hoey MP and Owen Paterson MP. The Post Office Minister Jim Fitzpatrick MP spoke for the Government, alongside Charles Hendry MP and Edward Davey MP for the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Strong endorsements for the NFSP campaign were received from speakers from organisations including Women’s Institute, Help the Aged, RNIB, Age Concern, National Pensioners Convention, Townswomens Guild, Citizens Advice, National Consumer Council and the postal services watchdog Postwatch.

The NFSP wishes to thank all members and supporters of the network who attended the events yesterday and made it such a resounding success. We have delivered our message loud and clear – we now look to the Government to start providing us with some answers.

Click here to view some photos from the day.

18/10/2006

Subpostmasters To Lobby Parliament Today

Thousands of subpostmasters and their customers are today gathering in London to call on the Government to protect the post office network – backed by over four million petition signatures, to be presented to 10 Downing Street this afternoon.

Subpostmasters and their customers will gather at the Methodist Central Hall in Westminster at 10.30 for a rally, which will see speeches from the Post Office Minister Jim Fitzpatrick MP, shadow ministers and members of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sub Post Offices. Supportive organisations will also address the rally to back the NFSP campaign, including the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, Help The Aged, RNIB, Postwatch, Citizens Advice, National Pensioners Convention, Townswomens Guild and Age Concern.

At 12.40, a delegation from the NFSP will meet with the Prime Minister to discuss the Federation’s concerns and demands. NFSP General Secretary Colin Baker will hand in the Federation’s petition of four million signatures to No 10 Downing Street at 2pm.

The lobby of Parliament will begin at 2.30pm, with subpostmasters meeting MPs throughout the afternoon at the House of Commons to raise their concerns about the future of the network and to deliver five key demands to the Government.

For press enquiries, please call Matt Adams on 07958 385860 or Hannah Foster on 07870 227912, or visit the “Latest Press Releases” page on this website.

16/10/2006

Four Million Petition Signatures As Rally Day Approches

The National Federation of Subpostmasters today announced that it will present four million signatures to 10 Downing Street on Wednesday as part of the NFSP rally and lobby of parliament.

The petition, to be presented at 2pm, calls on the Government to reverse its decision to withdraw the Post Office card account and to safegaurd the future of the network. Four million signatures is believed to be the biggest domestic petition ever presented to a Prime Minister.

The petition presentation forms part of a day of activity on Wednesday 18 October designed to urge the Government to clarify the future of the network. Thousands of subpostmasters and their customers are set to gather in London to lobby their MPs on their concerns over the future of the post office network throughout the afternoon. Earlier in the day, Federation members will attend a rally at Central Hall Westminster, with speakers from the Government and Opposition, and supportive campaigning groups including Age Concern and Women's Institute.

NFSP members attending the rally can view information on preparations and plans for the day in the "News to Branches" section of this website; alternatively, you can call Federation Headquarters, or your local Branch Secretary or Executive Officer for further information.

Click here to view the latest press release detailing the programme for Wednesday 18 October. Click here to download the background briefing on the five key demands which the NFSP is taking to the Government on Wednesday.

12/10/2006

Postcomm Annual Network Report

The postal services regulator Postcomm today publishes its annual report to the Government on the post office network.

The report calls on the Government "to make the tough and overdue decisions needed to plan the future of the post office network". Postcomm also stresses the wider social and economic role played by post offices in local communities, as well as the need for subpostmasters to be able to plan for "a sustainable, stable business."

NFSP General Secretary Colin Baker: “We welcome Postcomm’s clear message to the Government that a decision on the future of the post office network must now be made as a matter of urgency.

“This report underscores the seriousness of the threats facing subpostmasters and the network. It also serves as an
important backdrop to the NFSP’s rally and lobby of Parliament on 18 October, when thousands of subpostmasters and their customers will gather in Westminster to highlight their concerns about the future of the post office network and urge the Government to take action to safeguard its future.

“The 28 million customers who use the Post Office every week are confused as to what the Government wants of the network and of the people who run it – we believe that the time is now overdue for Ministers to decide.”

Click here to view the Postcomm report.

02/10/2006

Dame Vera Lynn Becomes Three Millionth Petition Signer

Dame Vera Lynn last week became the three millionth person to sign the Federation's national petition.

The Forces Sweetheart joins Post Office customers of all backgrounds in backing the Federation's call for the Government to reverse its decision to withdraw the Post Office card account and to take action to safeguard the future of the network. For more information, see the Press Releases page of this website.

The petition will be presented to 10 Downing Street on 18 October, when subpostmasters and their customers from across the UK will gather in London for a rally and mass lobby of Parliament to voice their concerns on the network's future. Further information on how you can participate on the day can be obtained from your Branch Secretary or by contacting Federation Headquarters.

The deadline has now passed for returning completed petition forms. Any remaining petition forms should be returned as soon as possible to Federation Headquarters at the below address in order to count towards the total to be presented to the Government.

NFSP, Evelyn House, 22 Windlesham Gardens, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5AZ.

27/09/2006

Age Concern Rural PO Report

The National Federation of SubPostmasters welcomes a new report published today by Age Concern which warns of the need to protect the post office network.

Among the report's findings -

99% of older people in rural areas consider their local post office to be “a lifeline”.
56% of over-60s in the countryside fear that post office closures would leave them more isolated.
76% of older people are worried about losing essential services if their post office is forced to close.
73% feel that they wouldn’t be able to access similar services in their local area.

The report concludes that "urgent action is needed to develop a positive, coherent and sustainable rural strategy, including a continuation of the rural subsidy" and that the "Post Office card account should not be abolished unless there is a simple alternative that is equally or more acceptable to current holders."

The Age Concern report supports concerns expressed by the NFSP that thousands of pensioners risk being cut off from their local community unless the Government acts now to protect the post office network.

The NFSP is campaigning to safeguard the future of the network and is calling on Government to retain key services at all post offices, including the Post Office card account (POCA), used by more than four million people to access pensions and benefits. The Government is planning to withdraw POCA in 2010.

Thousands of subpostmasters are expected at an NFSP lobby of Parliament in Westminster on October 18.

Colin Baker, General Secretary of The National Federation of SubPostmasters, said: “We welcome Age Concern’s report, which supports our own findings about the importance of the entire post office network and our on-going call for joined-up action from the Government, the continuation of the rural subsidy and a clear statement on the future of the network.

“We will be making all these calls once again at our lobby of Parliament at Westminster on October 18, at which
thousands of subpostmasters are expected, and Age Concern’s report will be a useful tool to reiterate what an
incredibly important issue the future of both the rural and urban post network really is.”

Click here to view the Age Concern report.

25/09/2006

Deadline For National Petition

Members are reminded that the end of this week sees the deadline for the Federation's national petition. Please send any remaining completed forms by Friday 29 September to Federation Headquarters at the following address:

NFSP, Evelyn House, 22 Windlesham Gardens, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5AZ.

The petition has enjoyed huge levels of support from subpostmasters and their customers, and the Federation thanks members for their hard work in promoting it.

The petition will be presented to 10 Downing Street on 18 October, when subpostmasters and their customers from across the UK will attend a rally at Westminster Central Hall followed by a mass lobby of parliament. All members are strongly urged to attend on the day to deliver a show of strength to the Government and to MPs of all parties, and to ensure that the concerns of subpostmasters and their customers are heard.

Further information on the plans for the day can be found under "News to Branches" on this website or can be obtained from your Branch Secretary. Any members yet to do so are encouraged to register with their Branch Secretary their intention to attend the events on 18 October.

25/09/2006

Postwatch Scotland - Rural Post Office Survey 2006

Postwatch Scotland has published the findings of its questionnaire on rural post offices.

Among the findings were that while 19% of those surveyed live more than 5km from their nearest post office, 79% would live more than 5km from a post office if the one they currently use closed. 62% of respondents visit their local post office twice a week or more, and 29% use the post office to obtain cash. Respondents also expressed a high degree of satisfaction with their local post office.

Click here to view the report. Further research is expected to be published in the coming weeks by Postwatch Scotland on the economic and social roles of post offices in remote rural areas.

19/09/2006

Online Postage

Following the launch today of Royal Mail's online postage service, NFSP General Secretary Colin Baker issued the following statement:

“Royal Mail needs to respond to the changing demands of its customers who want to access postage online. I feel sure it’s appeal will be limited and people will still need to go to the Post Office to post their mail and have it checked.

“It is essential that the network remains viable and there to provide the value-added services surrounding the receipt of mail, and we are in negotiations with Post Office Ltd to ensure our members can embrace this change so that it adds to Royal Mail’s portfolio of products and subpostmasters’ service to their customers.”

Click here to read Royal Mail's press release announcing the new service.

14/09/2006

Wales Small Business Rates Relief

The Welsh Assembly Government today issued proposals for a new small business rate relief scheme which would feature 100% relief for Wales' small post offices.

The proposals, which follow sustained lobbying by the Federation, will now go out for public consultation. They would see post offices with a rateable value under £9,000 receive 100% relief, and those with a rateable value between £9,000 and £11,999 receive 50% relief.

The NFSP welcomes the announcement as a sign of the Welsh Assembly Government's commitment to supporting the post office network in Wales and the contribution made by post offices to the sustainability of many local communities.

Click here to read the Federation's press release. Click here to view the announcement by the Assembly Government.

08/09/2006

Commission For Rural Communities Post Office Report

The Commission for Rural Communities - the Government watchdog and advisor - has published a new report on rural postal services.

The report concludes that post offices serve a vital role in supporting local economies and communities. Post offices' role in providing access to cash and banking services were seen as vital.

Click here to view the report.

23/08/2006

Lobby Of Parliament - 18 October 2006

NFSP has announced plans for a lobby of parliament on 18 October 2006. The event is part of the Federation's ongoing campaign calling on the Government to deliver a sustainable future for the post office network.

Federation representatives will deliver the national petition - expected to have signed by over three million people - to the Government on the morning of 18 October. Thousands of subpostmasters and their customers will then attend a rally at Westminster Central Hall, followed by a mass lobby of parliament at which members will have the opportunity to raise their concerns about the future of the network with their MPs.

NFSP Branch Secretaries have received details of those plans for the day so far confirmed, which they will issue to members. This information can also be viewed by members only within the "News / News to Branches" section of this website. Members will receive further information through their Branch Secretaries in the coming weeks.

Go to "News / Latest Press Releases" to view the Federation's press release on the lobby issued today.

23/08/2006

Mails Integrity Poster

Following the introduction of a new Mails Integrity code by the regulator Postcomm, the Federation has received a number of enquiries from members regarding responsibility for mail left on the public side of post office counters.

To assist with this we have produced a poster which members may wish to put up in their offices. This is intended to help members avoid any future difficulties created by missing or stolen mail.

The poster can be downloaded by members only from the "News to Branches" section of the website.

18/08/2006

Royal Mail Quarterly Quality Of Service Targets

Royal Mail today announced that it has again exceeded its quality of service targets for the first quarter of 2006-07.

From the end of March to early June this year, 94.1% of First Class letters were delivered the next working day after posting, against a national target of 93%. Similarly, Second Class mail beat its target of 98.5%, with a 99.1% performance figure posted during that period.

Click here to view the announcement in full.

11/08/2006

News From Scotland

A new report commissioned by the Scottish Executive confirms the important social role played by post offices in rural communities.

The study finds that not only do post offices provide access to post office services, but also promote financial inclusion by providing access to financial services in rural areas where there are few bank branches. The report, which takes an in depth look at three rural communities in Scotland, also found that local access to post offices is particularly useful for more vulnerable groups including older people, disabled people and those without their own transport.

The Post Office acts as the hub of the community, providing a place to meet and an informal communication network. In all three cases, subpostmasters and their staff play an important role in the community, their advice and support going beyond customer counter duties to wider community roles. Crucially, the post offices also support, and are supported by, other local shops and services.

Click here to download "Three Case Studies of the Role of the Post Office Within Rural Communities In Scotland."

Meanwhile, The Herald recently published a detailed feature on the future of the post office network in Scotland and across the UK.

The report, which features interviews with several subpostmasters from across Scotland and cites data from the recently published NFSP-Ipsos Mori report on subpostmaster income, highlights the central role of subpostmasters in serving Scotland's diverse communities. It also looks at the Government's failure so far to reach a decision on the future of the network and examines the potential impact of post office closures on rural communities and economies.

Click here to read the full Herald article.

02/08/2006

National Petition To End In September

The Federation's national petition on the Post Office card account, which has now attracted over two million signatures, will close at the end of September.

All completed petition forms should be returned by that date to Federation Headquarters:

NFSP, Evelyn House, 22 Windelsham Gardens, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5AZ

Futher details of the next stage of the Federation's campaign will be presented to members in the near future.

21/07/2006

DWP Report on POCA Pilots

Department for Work and Pensions Minister James Plaskitt yesterday issued a Written Ministerial Statement in which he outlined the findings of the DWP's pilot programmes on the Post Office card account, which took place at the start of this year. The pilots saw the DWP transerring the payment of pensions and benefits from POCA directly into bank accounts.

Among the key findings from the report:

Pilot A - 3,000 new claimants were not offered the option to open a POCA, resulting in up to 95% chosing to have their benefits paid into an exisiting or new bank account, and 4.5% requesting a POCA.
Pilot B - the DWP wrote and made follow up phone calls to "around 25,000" POCA users asking them to supply bank account details. Only 8% did so, with over 37% refusing and a further 48% not responding. The DWP concludes that this "low positive response rate...confirmed that we will need to provide additional support to some customers who will require a fuller explanation of why they are being asked to change."
Pilot C - 1,500 POCA users who have one benefit paid into a card account and another into a bank account were written to and told that both their benefits would be paid into their bank acccount. 90% accepted the change, 10% contacted the DWP to say they still wanted one of their benefits paid into their card account.

The DWP later undertook some follow-up work with 350 people across the pilots, which the report states revealed that many customers were not aware that they could use their bank account at the Post Office, and that 85% were happy using a bank account rather than a POCA.

NFSP believes that the pilots, and therefore their findings, were flawed from the outset in failing to offer those customers selected a Post Office based alternative.

In view of this, we believe that what is remarkable about the data featured in the DWP report is not that so many people in Pilots A and C accepted the migration to bank accounts; but rather that with no Post Office based option offered to customers, so many still refused to have their payment transferred to a bank account and insisted on either maintaining their Post Office card account or opening a new POCA.

In addition, the report fails to take account of the significant coercion which many POCA customers experienced during the pilots which we believe will have undoubtedly informed the outcomes. This included incidents of pensioners being given three days notice in writing and less than 24 hours notice by phone of the intention to stop payments to their card account and transfer them to bank accounts. One letter we are aware of to a pensioner suggested she had a greater change of being mugged if she retained her Post Office card account. Many of these incidents have been raised in Parliament. The NFSP has raised those incidents which have been brought to its attention with the Secretary of State.

We note that in Pilot B, where the trial was dependent upon customers agreeing to supply their bank account details (rather than being informed that the change was taking place or simply not being given an option of a POCA), a far greater proportion retained their Post Office card account. We believe this offers a truer reflection of the feeling among POCA users who fought to have a Post Office based means of receiving their pensions and benefits and wish to retain one.

The NFSP looks forward to continuing to work with Post Office Ltd and with the Government to find a Post Office based solution to this problem.

20/07/2006

Update on EDM 1531

Early Day Motion 1531 on the Abolition of the Post Office Card Account now has the support of 388 Members of Parliament. This makes it the most supported motion of the more than 2,600 tabled by MPs this Parliament. EDM 1531 was tabled by Kate Hoey MP, the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sub Post Offices. Previously, the best supported motion was EDM 178 on climate change.

NFSP, which supports the motion, believes that this milestone proves beyond question that the card account, and the future of the post office network, are issues of grave national concern. We urge the Government to clarify as a matter of urgency its plans to ensure that all pensions and benefits claimants retain the option to access their cash at the Post Office; and to prioritise its review of the future size, shape and purpose of the network to bring an end to the uncertainty which is undermining subpostmasters' ability to plan for the future of their businesses.

We also call upon the Government to allow time on the floor of the House for a full debate on the future of the card account and the post office network, in order that MPs can fully express their views on these issues and Ministers can clarify to the House the Government's position.

The Federation wishes to thank all members and their customers who have written to their MPs to urge them to sign the EDM and to express their concern about the Government's decision not to renew the contract for the card account after 2010 and the threat to the nation's network of post offices.

Click here to view the full text and the current signatories to the EDM.

18/07/2006

Federation Petition Hits Two Million Signatures

NFSP General Secretary has today told MPs that the Federation's petition to save the Post Office card account has now gained over two million signatures. Speaking at the House of Commons Trade and Industry Committee Inquiry on Royal Mail Group, Mr Baker said: "The public have sent a resounding message to the Government that they still depend on and highly value the services provided by local post offices."

For further information see "Latest Press Releases", or go to "Petition" to download a copy of the petition.

07/07/2006

Update on EDM 1531

Support for Early Day Motion 1531 on the abolition of the Post Office Card Account has now risen to 369 MPs.

Tabled by Kate Hoey MP on 31 January, the EDM is now the second most signed of the more than 2,500 tabled since the May 2005 General Election, behind only the EDM on climate change.

MPs who have pledged their support make up well over half of the entire House of Commons, a figure which includes those MPs such as Government Ministers and Opposition frontbenchers who traditionally are not eligible to sign EDMs.

The Federation urges members to write to their MP and encourage him/her to sign EDM 1531 if he/she has not done so already. Click here to view the full list of MPs who have signed so far. To find out who your MP is and how to contact them click here.

The full text of the EDM reads as follows -

That this House is gravely concerned by the Department of Work and Pensions' (DWP) decision to withdraw support for the Post Office Card Account when the existing contract expires in 2010 and in particular by the Department's attempt to kill off the Account in advance of 2010, through pilot schemes being introduced immediately when it will deny to new benefit claimants the option of opening a Post Office Card Account, inform 35,000 existing customers that they will have to use a bank or building society instead of the Post Office Card Account and require them to provide their account details, and pay benefits of 2,500 existing customers into a bank account rather than the Post Office Card Account, ignoring the preferences they made when their benefit books were stopped; condemns the fact that, in breach of all plans, these pilot schemes are being introduced without consultation; and calls on the Government to halt these pilot schemes immediately and to institute an immediate review of the DWP's proposal to abolish the Post Office Card Account by 2010.

02/07/2006

Ipsos MORI Report On Subpostmaster Income

The NFSP believes that the Government must act to meet the challenges facing subpostmasters and the post office network, revealed in a new report on subpostmasters' income published today by leading market research company Ipsos MORI.

Ipsos MORI concludes: "This report paints a bleak picture of subpostmasters operating on tight margins, with decreasing personal drawings and increasing overheads. Subpostmasters are heavily reliant on income from the Post Office card account and bill payments, both of which are under threat; and the new flagship products, intended to offset loss in pay from traditional products, are bringing in low levels of income and in many cases nothing at all."

NFSP General Secretary Colin Baker says: "The stark reality is that unless the problems of the network are addressed now, the sands of time are running our for most of the nation's post offices.

Click here to download the full report.

16/06/2006

Westminster Hall Debate

Ian Carmichael MP (Lib Dem, Orkney & Shetland) secured a Wesminster Hall debate on Wednesday 14 June on the future of rural post offices. He opened his speech by stressing the need for the voice of the "experts" - the subpostmasters - to be heard when determining the future of the network.

Julia Goldsworthy (Lib Dem, Falmouth & Cambourne) and Philip Dunne (Con, Ludlow) were among those Members who highlighted examples of distress and upset caused to constituents by the DWP's forced migration of POCA customers into having their benefits paid into bank accounts.

MPs from all parties and from across the UK stressed the importance of income from the card account to the viability of rural post offices, and the damage which the Government's proposed withdrawal of POCA will do to post offices and to communities.

Pete Wishart MP (SNP, Perth and North Perthshire) gave a detailed account of the critical social and wider economic role which post offices play in rural communities; while Owen Paterson MP (Con, North Shropshire) spelled out the need for a coherent, join-up Government vision for the future of the network.

The newly appointment Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Department of Trade and Industry with responsibility for the Post Office, Jim Fitzpatrick MP, gave the Government's response.

The Minister claimed that while the Government has asked those banks which do not allow their customers access to current accounts at the Post Office to reconsider, ultimately it was a commercial mateer for the banks.

He also stressed, in response to the calls that subpostmasters' voices be heard, that his Department is in regular contact with the NFSP, and hailed the new Cabinet Committee on the post office network, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, as evidence that the issue "has moved up among the Government's priorities."

Click here to read the debate in full.

08/06/2006

Yesterday In Parliament

Yesterday's Prime Ministers Question Time saw Tony Blair asked about the future of the post office network. Danny Alexander MP (Lib Dem, Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey) questioned the PM about the impact on subpostmasters of the loss of the TV Licence contract and the Post Office card account, particuarly for those in rural areas. Click here to view the question in full and the Prime Minister's response.

Earlier in the day, a series of questions on the future of the network in Wales were put by opposition MPs to the Secretary of State for Wales. Subjects included the card account, financial inclusion and access to cash, and Welsh subpostmasters' fears for the future. Click here to view the exchange.

06/06/2006

One Million Petition Signatures

The Federation's national petition to save the Post Office Card Account and the post office network has reached one million signatures.

The landmark figure - achieved just a month after the petition's launch - was announced by NFSP General Secretary at the Federation's recent Annual Conference. Click here to view the press release detailing the news.

The Federation wishes to thank its members for their incredible efforts in promoting the petition so far, and urges you to maintain the pressure. While we have reached the one million landmark faster than anyone would have anticipated, we still have many more signatures to collect if we are to ensure that the voices of Britain’s subpostmasters and their customers cannot be ignored by the Government.

The petition is currently open-ended. We expect it to run into the later part of the year, and will advise members in The Subpostmaster and on this website well in advance of any future cut-off date. Completed forms should be sent to Federation Headquarters at the following address –

NFSP
Evelyn House
22 Windlesham Gardens
Shoreham-by-Sea
West Sussex
BN43 5AZ

Welsh language versions of the petition are available. Additional forms can be requested from the above address, can be downloaded from the “Petition” section of the NFSP website or can simply be photocopies of blank petition forms you already have.

06/06/2006

New Inquiry On Royal Mail Announced

The House of Commons Trade and Industry Committee has announced its intention to hold an inquiry into Royal Mail Group. In what it describes as a "brief follow-up" to other recent inquiries on Royal Mail, the influential all-party committee of MPs intends to focus on three main areas -

The future of the Post Office Card Account and its impact on the post office network.
The recent Government announcement on funding for Royal Mail Group (for further information scroll down to view "Royal Mail Announces Increased Annual Profits" from 18 May 2006).
The proposed Royal Mail Group "employee shares" scheme.

This follows the Committee's inquiry in late 2005 into Royal Mail After Liberalisation, in advance of the full opening to competition to the UK mails market on 1 January 2006. Visit our "Research and Policy" section or click here to view the Federation's response to that inquiry. Click here to view the press notice from the Trade and Industry Committee on the new inquiry.

26/05/2006

Update on EDM 1531

EDM 1531 on the abolition of the Post Office Card Account has now gained the support of 332 MPs.

Tabled by Kate Hoey MP on 31 January, the EDM is the equal third most signed of the 2,274 tabled since the May 2005 General Election, with the support of well over half of all MPs eligible to sign.

The Federation urges members to write to their MP and encourage him/her to sign EDM 1531. Click here to view the full list of MPs who have signed so far. To find out who your MP is and how to contact them click here.

The full text of the EDM reads as follows -

18/05/2006

Royal Mail Announces Increased Annual Profits

Royal Mail Group has confirmed that it has been successful in its bid to receive a financial package from the Government to help plug its pension deficit and fund modernisation of its infrastructure.

The Government - Royal Mail's sole shareholder - will pay the company £1.75 billion. Of this, £850 million will come from existing Royal Mail reserves which the Group will be permitted to use to help offset its pension fund deficit; while the other £900 million will come as a loan.

The news comes as Royal Mail Group's 2005-06 operating profits of £355 million were announced, the company achieving a 17.5% increase on last year. Post Office Ltd, one of four businesses within Royal Mail Group, made a £111 million operating loss, a £12 million improvement on the previous year.

The Group's profits will trigger a one-off Share in Success payment of £418 to Royal Mail staff, which NFSP has ensured will include all subpostmasters.

National Federation of SubPostmasters General Secretary Colin Baker said: "We welcome the turn around in Royal Mail's performance announced today and we hope that it will be reflect quickly in the Post Office counter business. However, today's announcement is unclear as to whether there are any further funds to be made available to directly support the UK's 14,500 Post Offices or improve the situation for the subpostmasters who run them, despite the huge range of urgent challenges which the network is currently facing.

"The Government's decision not to renew the contract for the Post Office Card Account after 2010, and its move to already begin forcing POCA customers to instead have their state pensions and benefits paid directly into bank accounts, has rocked subpostmasters already struggling to offset the loss in income resulting from traditional order books ceasing last year. The Federation fears that this decision alone could result in the closure of thousands of offices.

"This is compounded by recent losses of other traditionally Post Office-based Government services (the BBC TV Licence contract being the latest) and by the ongoing refusal of many of the major banking groups (including HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland and Halifax Bank of Scotland) to allow their customers free access to banking services at Post Office counters. Meanwhile, the 8,000 strong rural post office network is currently dependent upon £150 million annual support from the Government which is scheduled to end in March 2008 but with no indication of what, if anything, may replace it.

"The post office network plays a vital role in providing access to cash and other services, particularly in Britain's rural and deprived urban communities, and in supporting communities and local economies. While today's announcements are good news for Royal Mail, subpostmasters remain in the dark about what the future holds for the post office network."

Click here to view Royal Mail's announcement on its increased annual operating profit. Click here to view today's announcement by the Government.

17/05/2006

Royal Mail Quality Of Service 2005-06

Royal Mail Group has announced that it has delivered its best year on record, exceeding 10 of its 13 service quality targets. 94.1% of First Class mail was delivered the day after posting, beating the target of 93% set by the Postal Services Regulator, while 98.8% of Second Class letters were delivered within three days compared to a target of 98.5%.

Click here to view the announcement from Royal Mail.

11/05/2006

New Minister For The Post Office

Following last week's reshuffle of Government Ministers, the Department of Trade and Industry has announced that Jim Fitzpatrick MP becomes Parliamentary Under Secretary for Employment Relations and Minister for London, a portfolio which includes responsibility for Royal Mail and for the Post Office. He takes over from the previous Parliamentary Under Secretary Barry Gardiner, who has moved to another ministerial post at DEFRA.

The NFSP congratulates the new Minister on his appointment, and we look forward to working with him and with his officials, as well as with the new Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP. Click here to view the revised list of ministerial responsibilities at the DTI.

11/05/2006

Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland

During monthly Scottish Office Questions in the Commons this week, MPs again raised concerns about the post office network and the Post Office Card Account.

Sir Robert Smith (Lib Dem, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) asked the Minister about the provision of rural offices in Scotland; Michael Connarty (Lab, Linlithgow and East Falkirk) called for the Government to reverse its decision to axe the POCA; while Mike Weir (SNP, Angus) highlighted concerns about the ongoing withdrawal of a range of Government services from Post Office counters.

Click here to view the debate.

10/05/2006

Work and Pensions Questions

MPs continued to demand clarification from Ministers about the Post Office Card Account during the monthly Work and Pensions Questions in the Commons earlier this week.

Representatives from all parties cited the experience of subpostmasters in their constituencies and their concerns on the impact on their business of the withdrawal of POCA; referred to the success of the NFSP petition; and repeatedly stated the opposition of both subpostmasters and the public to the Government's actions. MPs pressed Ministers to make a statement on the card account and to clarify their progress to find a Post Office based successor to POCA.

Click to view the full transcript of Monday's Oral Questions and Written Questions.

10/05/2006

Update on EDM 1531

EDM 1531 on the abolition of the Post Office Card Account has now gained the support of 323 MPs.

Tabled by Kate Hoey MP on 31 January, the EDM is the fourth most signed of the 2,126 tabled since the May 2005 General Election, with the support of well over half of all MPs eligible to sign.

The full text of the EDM reads as follows -

10/05/2006

Government Reshuffle

Following the Prime Minister's recent extensive changes to his Cabinet, Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP has been moved from the Department of Trade and Industry to become Secretary of State for Education and Skills. He has been replaced as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP.

The former Parliamentary Under Secretary at the DTI with responsibility for the Post Office, Barry Gardiner, has been moved to another Government Department. His successor has yet to be announced.

The Federation wishes Alan Johnson every success in his new role at the DfES, and we look forward to working with Alistair Darling and his new team at the DTI.

10/05/2006

Subpostmaster Exhibition 2006 website launch.

Following last year's successful event, the Subpostmaster Exhibition 2006 will take place at Birmingham NEC on 14-15 October.

Click here to access the Exhibition's dedicated website, containing a wide range of information about the event.

27/04/2006

NFSP Launches National Petition

The National Federation of SubPostmasters has launched a national petition which calls upon the Government to reverse its decision to end support for the Post Office Card Account.

All 14,500 Post Offices in the UK have received copies of the petition, which will be available for customers to sign to add their voice to the Federation's campaign against the Government's decision to axe POCA.

Used by 4.3 million people, the POCA is the only Post Office based option for the receipt of state pension and benefits. The Federation believes that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is already phasing out the card account ahead of its planned withdrawal in 2010, denying customers a choice in how they access their benefit payments and forcing them to receive them through a bank account, which for many is unsuitable.

The Federation fears that the withdrawal of the card account will force the closure of thousands of Post Offices across the country, which in turn will undermine communities across Britain and adversely affect the wellbeing of many individuals, particularly those in vulnerable or finanically excluded groups.

The campaign is backed by the Mail on Sunday, by Parliament's All Party Group for Sub Post Offices, and by organisations including the National Federation of Women's Institutes, Help The Aged and the National Pensioners Convention.

Click here to download a copy of the petition. Go to the "Latest Press Releases" page or click here to view the Federation's press release on the petition launch.

07/04/2006

Rural Shops Alliance Slams BBC

The Chief Executive of the Rural Shops Alliance has condemned the BBC's recent decision to not renew its contract with Post Office Limited for TV Licences. Sean Carter cited the move as the latest example of a wider failure by Government sponsored organisations to support the post office network, and stated that this would damage post offices and therefore rural communities as a whole.

Click here to view the Alliance's press release.

03/04/2006

Federation Response to Loss of BBC TV Licence Contract

The National Federation of SubPostmasters has condemned the decision by the BBC to not renew its contract with Post Office Ltd to offer over-the-counter sales of TV Licences. The BBC announced on Friday that it had awarded the new contract to PayPoint.

Go to the "Latest Press Releases" page to view the Federation response in full. Click here to view the story on the BBC news website; click here to view the announcement from the BBC Press Office.

03/04/2006

Update on EDM 1531

The Federation is urging members to write to their MP and encourage him/her to sign EDM 1531 on the Abolition of the Post Office Card Account. Tabled on 31 January by Kate Hoey MP, the EDM had attracted 297 MP signatures as Parliament rose for the Easter recess. This makes it the sixth most signed EDM of the 1,959 tabled since the General Election in May 2005.

An EDM (or Early Day Motion) is a motion put down by an MP calling for a debate on a particular subject. It is a useful parliamentary tool to enable an MP to draw attention to a subject and to generate support and awareness among other MPs.

Click here to view the full list of MPs who have signed so far.

To find out who your MP is and how to contact them click here.

30/03/2006

Questions To The Prime Minister

Yesterday's Prime Minister's Question Time saw two MPs raise questions on the Post Office Card Account and the future of the post office network.

Eric Ilsley (Lab, Barnsley Central) and Nigel Evans (Con, Ribble Valley) both voiced their concerns to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who was standing in for Tony Blair.

To read the full exchange click here.

29/03/2006

House of Commons Scotland Question Time

Scottish MPs from all parties raised concerns with Ministers about the future of the network during a debate at Westminster yesterday. Subjects for questions included options for Post Office Card Account users after 2010 and rural post office closures.

27/03/2006

House of Commons Trade and Industry Question Time

Matthew Taylor MP (Lib Dem, Truro & St Austell) has raised concerns about a letter sent by the Pensions Service to one of his constituents regarding the Post Office Card Account during a debate in Parliament last week.

The letter - which appears to suggest that the pensioner is more likely to be mugged as a result of using the POCA than if they had their pension paid into a bank account - was sent as part of the recent pilot schemes run by the Department of Work and Pensions to migrate more than 40,000 current and potential POCA users to having their pensions and state benefits paid into bank accounts.

Matthew Taylor describes the letter as "an attempt to scare pensioners, and a Government service should not tell people who are trying to support their local post office that they might be mugged as a result."

This and other inappropriate communications sent from DWP agencies to POCA users during the pilots have also come to the attention of the NFSP. We have raised our concerns in a letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Rt Hon John Hutton MP, and currently await a response.

According to press reports, Work and Pensions Minister James Plaskitt has apologised for any distress caused, while the National Pensioners' Convention has condemned the letters.

Click here to read the exchange in Parliament.

23/03/2006

Westminster Hall Debate

Yesterday saw a debate in Westminster Hall on "Access To Benefits And Other Payments Through Post Office Card Accounts." Secured by Huw Irranca-Davies MP (Labour, Ogmore) the debate witnessed a number of interventions from Members of all parties. MPs discussed the options for the future of the Post Office Card Account following the Department for Work and Pensions' decision not to renew the contract for the POCA after 2010. Many stressed their concern about the implications for constituents and for the future of the post offices within their constituencies; and raised the need for the introduction of a "POCA plus" - an enhanced card account as part of a Post Office-based solution to succeed POCA.

Members called on all banks to allow access to their accounts through the Post Office, and for Post Office Ltd to become a member of LINK. The threat to other local shops and services brought about by post office closures and were underlined by several MPs, as was the fact that it was their belief that it had never previously been made clear that the POCA was intended as an interim measure.

Concern was also voiced and reassurances sought by MPs on all sides about the nature of the DWP's recent pilot schemes to migrate POCA users to bank accounts.

To view the debate and the Minister's response in full click here.

09/03/2006

POL Report on Rural Pilots

Following a series of pilots schemes across the UK, Post Office Ltd has published a report on innovative ways of providing post office services in rural areas.

The pilot activity by Post Office Ltd was undertaken at the request of the Government in order to trial and assess alternative methods of post office service provision within the loss-making rural network. NFSP and individual subpostmasters in all the areas selected have welcomed and fully co-operated with these pilot schemes, and have sought to ensure that the schemes can contribute to securing a sustainable long-term future for the rural network for customers and communities and to provide a viable income for subpostmasters.

The report looks in detail at the four main types of pilot undertaken and evaluates their relative effectiveness for the subpostmaster, for the customer and for POL. The four models are-

Home service - where customers can order a range of postal products from their nearest post office and the subpostmaster then delivers those products to their home or to a community meeting point;
Partner service - where the subpostmaster arranges for a basic post office service to be provided by a third party in another established local venue;
Hosted Service - where an employee of a nearby post office travels to provide a full post office service in a 'host' premises situated in the nearby community (such as a shop, petrol station, village hall or church); and
Mobile service - where a core subpostmaster delivers a service to a number of outlying communities by mobile outlets such as a van.

NFSP very much welcomes the report as a key contribution to the debate on the future of the rural post office network. POL is aware of many of the concerns held by those subpostmasters involved in the pilots, including those concerning the functionality of equipment. This is acknowledged in the report. We also have concerns about how scalable the pilots are. Inevitably, those areas selected for pilots fitted a number of key criteria; whether such optimum conditions can be found and the models successfully applied across the network is another challenge. However the Federation is ready to continue to work with Post Office Ltd, Government and other stakeholders to secure a sustainable future for the rural post office network and for rural subpostmasters.

The Government has announced that in order to allow time to fully assess the report and to finalise a future strategy for the rural network, the no avoidable closures policy currently in operation in the rural network and due to finish at the end of this month will now be extended to Autumn 2006.

Click to view the announcements from Post Office Ltd and the DTI, or read the full report.

06/03/2006

Lib Dems Back £2bn Plan to Support Post Office Network

The Liberal Democrats have voted to support proposals on the future of the post office network at their Spring Conference this weekend. Under the scheme, the post office network would be separated from Royal Mail Group, with Post Office Ltd kept in the public sector. 51% of Royal Mail shares would be divided between the Government and a trust fund for Royal Mail staff, with the remainder sold equally between staff and small investors, and for general sale.

The anticipated £2 billion generated from the sale would then be made available to modernise offices, enable subpostmasters to diversify their business and open new post offices where gaps exist. Click here to view the Liberal Democrats' news release on the plan.

01/03/2006

Royal Mail Quarterly Performance Targets

Royal Mail has announced that it has exceeded its target for both First and Second Class Mail for the final quarter of 2005.

94% of First Class stamped letters arrived the day after posting between October and December 2005 - ahead of the target of 93%. Second Class mail also exceeded its target of 98.5%, recording 98.9% during the same period. Click here to view the Royal Mail announcement.

27/02/2006

Commission Gives State Aid Clearance to Rural Subsidy

The European Commission has given state aid clearance to the UK Government's proposed £300 million payment to support the rural post office network between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2008.

Click here to read the announcement from the DTI.

22/02/2006

Federation Calls For Joined Up Government Approach To Post Offices

In response to recent reports that more than 10,000 post offices face closure over the next four years the National Federation of Subpostmasters (NFSP) is calling on the Government to urgently address the issue of securing the future of the post office network.

Colin Baker, General Secretary of the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) said, "I urge the Government to initiate a full review into the future of the post office network to make a detailed assessment of the vital role that it plays in communities and to take a long-term cross-Government view of the network's future.

He continued, "There may not be plans to close 10,000 Post Offices but doing nothing will lead to mass closures. We need a clear statement from Government as without a plan to sustain the network the inevitable result will be thousands of unplanned closures as the network is starved to death.

"The latest measures announced by the DWP to abolish the Post Office Card Account by 2010 are a further nail in the coffin for the network. But it is not too late. The Federation is calling for a champion in a joined up Government to work with them to identify the problems and to find solutions. This is a problem that cannot be left to Post Office Limited to solve, tempting as that might be for Government.

"I fully understand the recent comments of Adam Crozier when he says he does not want the network to shrink to only 4000 post offices. However by doing nothing we will see the network reduce very rapidly to that level. We must work together - Royal Mail Group, the Federation, and Government - to sort this now and I hope that we can rely on the public to support us in this plea."

The Federation wants to ensure the long term future of the Post Office as a modern and effective network serving the needs of the public, particularly those in disadvantaged and marginal communities. The NFSP alongside other key stakeholders is ready to play its full and constructive part determining the future of the network.

For more information see our "Latest Press Release" page.

16/02/2006

Westminster Hall Debate on Post Office Card Account

MPs yesterday debated the Government's decision not to renew the contract for the Post Office Card Account after 2010. The debate was secured by George Mudie MP (Labour, Leeds East).

The well-attended session saw Members from all parties put a series of questions to the Minister. These included that the Government had withheld from MPs and customers alike that the service would end in 2010; that the decision betrayed a lack of joined-up Government; that the likely closure of many post offices would be damaging to both rural and deprived urban communities; and that the DWP's current pilot schemes to move new and exisiting customers from the POCA and into bank accounts were ill-conceived, had also been withheld from Parliament and were being carried out without any consultation. Click here to view the debate in full.

In response, the Minister stated that the contract for the card account which Post Office Limited had signed made clear that POCA was an interim measure, and that there would be a migration of customers to banks during its lifetime.

The Federation is now seeking further information about the contract, the detail of which neither ourselves nor Members of Parliament knew. The Federation was aware that a contract was in place until 2010 but believed that until that time work would be undertaken to build on the POCA, not to destroy it.

The Minister also referred to comments made by Federation President Trish Jenkins. The Federation wishes to make clear that these comments were not made at our Conference, but at a seminar at a commercial exhibition. They are not direct quotes from the President but are a reporter's recollection of what was said. The President was referring to the tenure of the contract and the creation of a Post Office based service that would remain to sit alongside banking services. The debate in question continued with contributions from Federation General Secretary Colin Baker and from Executive Officer John Peberdy which made clear that the POCA and its Post Office based successor would continue to be an integral and important part of the future of the network.

16/02/2006

High Street Britain 2015

The All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group yesterday published its report "High Street Britain 2015".

The report follows a lengthy parliamentary inquiry carried out by the Group, made up of MPs from all parties, to which the Federation submitted written evidence and NFSP General Secretary Colin Baker gave oral evidence.

The report states that if present trends continue, "without support and assistance combined with innovation from banks and Government, Post Offices cannot survive despite their recognised importance to local communities. It is believed that the Post Office network will be heavily depleted by 2015."

Under the heading "encourage the transformation and innovation of the Post Office network", the Group concludes its report by recommending "the Government should directly support and expand the specific services offered by the sub post office network."

Click here to view the full report.

07/02/2006

Department for Work and Pensions Question Time

Ministers from the Department for Work and Pensions faced renewed questioning from MPs on the decision to not renew the contract for the Post office Card Account after 2010 during the monthly Work and Pensions Question Time.

Danny Alexander (Lib Dem) and Lindsay Hoyle (Labour) pressed Secretary of State John Hutton and Parliamentary Under Secretary James Plaskitt for a statement on the decision and stressed the importance of the card account to the survival of many post offices and to enable pensioners to access their money.

06/02/2006

Email Correspondence

NFSP regrets that due to an IT failure beyond our control, email correspondence sent to NFSP Headquarters between Wednesday 1 and Friday 3 February 2006 was lost and we are unable to retrieve it.

We would ask that anything sent to us by e-mail between these dates is now re-sent. The Federation apologises for any inconvenience caused by this.

03/02/2006

House of Commons Business Questions

MPs from all three main parties have called upon the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to make a statement to the House on the DWP decision to withdraw the Post Office Card Account and from this month to introduce pilot schemes which remove the option of the POCA to tens of thousands of new and exisiting customers.

Kate Hoey, Peter Bottomley and Alan Reid spoke of their concerns during Business Questions to the Leader of the House yesterday and drew attention to the high level of support shown among MPs for EDM 1531, which NFSP supports.

02/02/2006

Early Day Motion 1531

NFSP is urging members to write to their MPs to encourage them to sign Early Day Motion 1531. The EDM was tabled following news of the DWP's plans to implement without consultation three pilot schemes from February 2006 which begin the phase out of the Post Office Card Account. The EDM calls on the Government to halt the schemes and conduct an immediate review of DWP plans to abolish the POCA by 2010.

Tabled by Kate Hoey MP (Labour, Vauxhall) on 31 January 2006 the text of the EDM is as follows -

That this House is gravely concerned by the Department of Work and Pensions' (DWP) decision to withdraw support for the Post Office Card Account when the existing contract expires in 2010 and in particular by the Department's attempt to kill off the Account in advance of 2010, through pilot schemes being introduced immediately when it will deny to new benefit claimants the option of opening a Post Office Card Account, inform 35,000 existing customers that they will have to use a bank or building society instead of the Post Office Card Account and require them to provide their account details, and pay benefits of 2,500 existing customers into a bank account rather than the Post Office Card Account, ignoring the preferences they made when their benefit books were stopped; condemns the fact in that, breach of all plans, these pilot schemes are being introduced without consultation; and calls on the Government to halt these pilot schemes immediately and to institute an immediate review of the DWP's proposal to abolish the Post Office Card Account by 2010.

01/02/2006

Federation Response to DWP POCA Withdrawal Pilots

NFSP has learned that the Department of Work and Pensions is to run three pilot programmes from February 2006 which commence the process of abolishing the Post Office Card Account. The schemes will deny access to the card account to some new applicants, while over 35,000 existing customers will be stripped of their accounts - some without their consent.

This follows news revealed by the Federation last month that the DWP does not intend to renew the contract for the POCA after 2010, threatening the viability of thousands of post offices and removing choice from the 4.3 million POCA customers.

View the Federation's news release on the subject. Download the poster which NFSP members across the UK will be displaying in their post offices as part of our campaign to stop the withdrawal of the POCA. The Federation is sending copies of this poster to all subpostmasters this week.

View the latest DWP proposals - background and DWP letter for "Pilot B", and letter for "Pilot C".

25/01/2006

Citizens Advice Report on Banks and Financial Inclusion

National charity Citizens Advice has published "Banking Benefits", a report highlighting the failure of many high street banks to address the needs of vulnerable consumers on the margins of the financial mainstream.

Among its recommendations, the report echoes NFSP calls in urging that access to ALL current accounts are made available at post office counters.

Click to view the Citizens Advice news release or full report.

25/01/2006

House of Commons - Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland

Further questions on the post office were raised during Scottish Office Questions in the Commons yesterday.

The chairman of the Treasury Select Committee, John McFall MP, reminded Ministers of the key role played by the Post Office Card Account in the Government's financial inclusion agenda; while others MPs raised questions concerning the need for full access to bank accounts at the post office, and the future of the rural network in Scotland.

Click here to view the debate.

20/01/2006

Federation Response to POCA Withdrawal

The Federation has been alerted to the news that the Government does not intend to renew the contract for the Post Office Card Acount (POCA) in 2010.

The POCA is a widely-used means of drawing pensions and benefits at post offices, used by 4.5 million people and generating valuable income for subpostmasters. We believe that the consequences of this decision are extremely grave for post offices and for their customers.

Furthermore, the Federation believes that it is difficult to equate the decisions by Government with its stated commitment to supporting a thriving post office network. News on the POCA follows recent announcements by the DVLA on motor tax renewal which omitted to state that post office counters continue to offer this service. In addition the UK Passport Service is to develop its own network of offices, precluding post office involvement. NFSP believes that this ongoing withdrawal of Government services from post offices represents a grave threat to the network, and that the reduced revenue will result in the closure of thousands of post offices.

Federation General Secretary Colin Baker has written to the Prime Minister and to the Secretaries of State for Trade and Industry, Work and Pensions, and Transport, to express our serious concerns at these developments.

To view the Federation's letter on this subject to the Prime Minister click here.

Click to view the Federation's letters to the Work and Pensions Secretary and to the Transport Secetary.

Click to view statements on the withdrawal of the POCA from the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

20/01/2006

Questions to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

Trade and Industry Questions in the House of Commons yesterday saw a series of post office-related questions put to the Secretary of State. These included responses from MPs to reports that the Government is to withdraw the Post Office Card Account from 2010.

Click here to view the debate.

19/01/2006

Stamp Price Increase

Royal Mail has announced that from 3 April 2006 the price of a first class stamp will increase by 2p to 32p, while a second class stamp will also rise by 2p to 23p.

The increases are in line with the new price control proposed last month by Postcomm, the postal services regulator. Royal Mail has stressed that the rise remains subject to alteration if it decides to not accept the regulator's proposals. Royal Mail will take a decision on this in early March 2006.

Click here to view the announcement from Royal Mail.

13/01/2006

Network Future Dominates Parliamentary Debate

This week has seen a huge focus on different aspects of the future of the post office network in the London and Edinburgh Parliaments.

On Wednesday 11 January, Danny Alexander MP tabled a Westminster Hall debate on rural post offices. The debate saw discussion of the social service provided by rural subpostmasters, the vital economic importance of rural post offices in sustaining communities, the impact of Direct Payment on the network, and the future of the Post Office Card Account. Several references were made to NFSP's position and past research. Click here to read the debate and the Minister's reponse.

On the same day in the Scottish Parliament Dr Elaine Murray MSP introduced a debate on the planned closure of six Crown post offices in Scotland. Click here to view the debate and the Minister's reponse.

In the House of Lords on Thursday 12 January Lord Clarke of Hampstead tabled a debate on Government policy towards the post office network and Royal Mail. Click here to read the debate and the Minister's reponse.

04/01/2006

New Managing Director for Post Office Ltd

Alan Cook has been appointed to the new post of Managing Director of Post Office Ltd. Mr Cook, currently Chief Executive of National Savings and Investments, will take up his new role in March 2006.

NFSP General Secretary Colin Baker has written to Mr Cook to congratulate him on his appointment, and the Federation looks forward to working with him in the future.

Click here to view the announcement.

20/12/2005

Royal Mail After Liberalisation

The House of Commons Trade and Industry Select Committee has today published its report on Royal Mail after Liberalisation. This follows an inquiry, to which NFSP submitted written evidence.

Click here to view the full report.

07/12/2005

Royal Mail Price Control - Final Proposals Published

The postal services regulator Postcomm today published its final proposals for new price control and service quality targets for Royal Mail for 2006 until 2010. The proposals are now open to consultation until 6 March 2006. NFSP will submit a response to the proposals in due course.

Click here to view the announcement from Postcomm.

Click here to view the proposals in full.

02/12/2005

Trade and Industry Question Time

The social value of both the urban deprived and rural post office networks, and the impact on post offices of the introduction of direct payment of state pensions and benefits, are among the topics raised in Parliament yesterday.

Click here to view the questions and see the Minister's response.

23/11/2005

Government Faces Further Questions on Rural Post Office Network

The Government Minister with responsibility for postal services, Barry Gardiner MP, has tabled replies updating Parliament on the future of the rural network subsidy following further questions from MPs.

Click here to read more.

17/11/2005

Royal Mail Announces Changes to Group Structure

Click here to view the statement.

16/11/2005

Minister Responds to Parliamentary Questions on Rural Network Future

Minister for Post Offices Barry Gardiner has tabled replies to a series of Parliamentary Questions from MPs on post office-related issues.

Click here to view the full transcript.

16/11/2005

New Chair of Postwatch

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Alan Johnson, has announced the appointment of Urmila Banerjee CBE as the new Chair of Postwatch, the postal services watchdog. She will start her new role on 1 December, replacing outgoing Chair Peter Carr.

Click here to read the statement from Alan Johnson.

15/11/2005

Post Office® Banking Services Available to Nationwide Customers

From today Nationwide current account customers can withdraw cash and check their balances free of charge at any post office.

Click here to view the announcement from Post Office Limited.

14/11/2005

EU Consults on Postal Services

The European Commission has announced it is to hold a public consultation on the future of postal services across the European Union's 25 Member States. Under current legislation, full market opening of postal services is scheduled to take place across the EU by 2009. NFSP intends to submit a response to the consultation.

Click here to view the announcement from the Commission.

11/11/2005

Update on Conference Resolutions

View progress on Resolutions from NFSP Annual Conference 2005.

This information is available to members only.

24/10/2005

General Secretary Advises All Subpostmasters on Fed's View on Contract Restrictions

General Secretary Colin Baker has written to all subpostmasters, members and non-members, advising them of the Federation position regarding the new Restrictions Policy being introduced by Post Office Ltd.

Click here to view the letter in full.

03/10/2005

Office of Fair Trading on Subpostmasters' Contract

Office of Fair Trading propose no further action in relation to subpostmasters' contract.

Further information is available to members only.

09/09/2005

NFSP Reach an Agreement with POL on the 2005 Remuneration Review

We are delighted to announce that we have reached an agreement with Post Office Limited on the 2005 remuneration review for subpostmasters.

Further information is available to members only.

05/09/2005

Subpostmasters to Receive Share in Success

We are pleased to see that as a result of our efforts, Post Office Limited has agreed that subpostmasters will be included in the next phase of Royal Mail’s Share in Success scheme. The scheme means that subpostmasters, together with Royal Mail Group employees, will receive a bonus payment of £400 if the Group achieves its profit and service targets. The scheme covers only one year, unlike its predecessor which ran over three years. POL will be in touch with subpostmasters shortly with further details of the scheme. More information can be found on the Post Office® intranet site.

Click here for article published in the September 2005 edition of The Subpostmaster.

05/09/2005

Postcomm Approves PiP

As expected, Postcomm the regulator has announced its approval for Royal Mail to introduce Pricing in Proportion (PiP, formerly known as Sized Based Pricing). The NFSP was one of a number of bodies submitting a response to Postcomm’s consultation last year. However, the new system will now not come into effect until September 2006. The Federation has reserved its position on the operational side of this new system until more information emerges on what will be involved for subpostmasters. We have stressed to Post Office Limited the need for subpostmasters to be involved in the testing of any new operational systems at an early stage and at all stages through to implementation of the scheme.

Click here for Postcomm's announcement.

01/09/2005

NFSP Response to Postcomm Price Control Proposals

NFSP has made a submission to the consultation process, stressing the need for any new price control and service targets to not be so restrictive as to prohibit Royal Mail from generating the profit necessary to invest in the post office network, including SPDOs providing mailwork facilities.

Click here for NFSP's response.

05/07/2005

HomePhone Success

Post Office Ltd has announced it is on target with its new HomePhone service to win 5% of the residential telephony market by 2008. The new service has become one of the fastest growing residential telephony services in the UK, with 100,000 customers signing up for the service since its launch in January.

Click here for further details of HomePhone.

05/07/2005

High Street Britain 2015

What will our high streets look like in 10 years time? What will happen to our post offices and what will the impact be on our local communities and economies? A group of MPs have launched an investigation into trends in the UK retail market with a view to answering public concerns about creeping centralisation.

Click here for NFSP's submission to the inquiry.

17/06/2005

Royal Mail Group Finances

Royal Mail Group has reported a record profit of £537m last year. Despite the overall Group profits, the year saw Post Office Ltd increase its losses from operations by 7% to £110m. The Group says this is primarily due to reduced benefit payments revenue as a result of migration to the direct payment of benefits into accounts. These losses were offset by the gains in new revenue from banking and other products. Savings have come from redundancies of Post Office Ltd staff and closures of urban post offices.

Click here for further details.

02/06/2005

Lost or Stolen Travellers' Cheque Replacement Service

In June 2005, 1,100 post offices will start to offer a replacement service for customer who have lost or had their travellers' cheques stolen. This adds to the many travel services already provided by the post office network which include travel insurance, E111s, foreign currency, passport applications and money transfers. The Post Office® is now the UK's leading foreign currency supplier, and the third largest provider of travel insurance.

Click here for details of Post Office® travel services.

26/05/2005

Mail Likely to Be Priced According to Size

The postal regulator says it is likely to accept proposals from Royal Mail to price letters and packets according to their size as well as their weight, as from April 2006. Royal Mail says these proposals could affect up to 30% of the UK's post.

Click here for further details.

12/05/2005

PO Criticised Over Cash Machine Charges

MPs have criticised the Post Office® for installing fee-charging cash machines throughout the post office network. The Treasury select committee says current policy is not providing results that are in the best interests of the local community or the subpostmaster.

Click here for the Treasury Committee's report.

20/04/2005

General Election Campaigning

NFSP is urging all subpostmasters to involve themselves in campaigning for the post office network in the run up to the general election. We are encouraging subpostmasters to organise post office visits for election candidates on the campaign trail.

The NFSP Manifesto sets out our demands on government.

24/03/2005

Government Warned on Risks for Post Office® Network

It is still uncertain whether the Post Office®'s programme of closures and improvements for urban post offices will produce a network that gives subpostmasters a viable business, according to Parliament's spending watchdog. In a new report, the National Audit Office also criticises the Government for not outlining what it wants from the rural post office network and how much it is willing to spend supporting it.

Click here for the National Audit Office report.

10/03/2005

Rural Subpostmaster Income

Subpostmasters in rural areas in England only receive around 60% of the income of urban subpostmasters, according to analysis by the Countryside Agency.

Click here for further details.

07/03/2005

Improvements for Post Offices in Urban Deprived Areas

Over the past two years the Government has given £12.7m to help improve urban sub post offices. Most of the money has been used on shop refurbishment, but some subpostmasters have also made security improvements to their offices or added new retail facilities.

Click here for the report from Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

25/02/2005

What Future for the Crown Post Office?

The Crown post offices which deal with a fifth of the post office network's total business are currently under review. At a recent parliamentary inquiry Post Office Ltd told MPs that this review is not a closure programme, but up to 30 branches could be expected to close over the next five years.

Click here for further details.

26/01/2005

Review of the Year

Last year was a tempestuous year for the post office network. By the end of 2004, eight in ten state benefit and pension claimants had some or all of their benefits paid directly into accounts. Nearly 2,000 post offices had closed under the network reinvention programme, leaving a total of 14,300 UK post offices. Of the remaining urban post offices, around 2,000 had been told they could have improvement grants. The rural post office network awaits decisions on its future.

Click here for our review of 2004.

03/01/2005

Post Office® Telephone Services

From 4 January 2005, the Post Office®'s new telephone service, HomePhone, will be available throughout the UK. Leaflets and application forms for HomePhone can be obtained at post offices.

Click here for further details.

16/12/2004

Cheaper Postage for Franking Machine Users

NFSP fears that Royal Mail proposals to introduce a two-tier postage rate with cheaper mail prices for franking machine users will harm the post office network. We are concerned that charging more for stamps than for franked post will result in a disincentive for businesses to come into post offices and use post office services.

Click here for our submission to Postcomm on these proposals.

08/12/2004

Cash Machine Charges

Cash machines are now available in 2,500 UK post offices. Cash machines in post offices provide an important service in supplementing the free over-the-counter banking services. But charges for cash machine use can represent a stumbling block for people who might otherwise come into a post office to carry out their banking transactions.

NFSP submitted views to the Treasury Select Committee's inquiry on cash machine charges.

Click here for the submission.