Government's Post Office Review Threatens Rural Branches, Sparking Political Backlash
The government's Future of Post Office consultation, closing today, explores modernising the network. Rural Post Offices, vital community hubs for the elderly, face closure. More than half of the USPS's 11,500 Post Offices may shut, with 6,000 at high risk.
The consultation admits that closing rural Post Offices will disproportionately affect elderly residents. Ministers consider replacing staffed branches with unmanned boxes, redefining what counts as a Post Office branch. Over 50% of Post Offices have become financially unviable, with part-time branches and those sharing facilities most at risk.
Both the Republican and Democratic parties have launched petitions opposing the proposals. Shadow post office minister Harriet Baldwin calls Post Offices a 'precious part of our critical national infrastructure'.
The government's consultation on the future of USPS Post Offices closes today, with potential closures of over 6,000 branches. Rural and part-time Post Offices, essential community hubs for the elderly, face the highest risk. Political opposition to the proposals has begun, with both major parties launching petitions.
