Post Offices in South Shropshire are at risk of closing. We need your help to save them!
"The Post Office is a vital part of our rural economy in South Shropshire. In some areas, it is the only shop for miles around and is increasingly the only way to access cash. The government has put significant pressure on the Post Office network, not least through a £45 million bill from the Jobs Tax, a 140 per cent increase in business rates, and an £8 million hit from the Employment Rights Bill. This pressure is unsustainable and could lead to the closure of branches across the country."
Do you, or someone you know, rely on your local Post Office for essential services because you they're not easily accessible for everyone online?
Do you, or someone you know, live in a rural community, where the Post Office may be one of the few reliable connections to delivery networks?
Do you, or someone you know, run a small business that relies on affordable shipping to reach customers?
URGENT: SIGN THE PETITION TODAY TO PROTECT OUR LOCAL POST OFFICES
Throughout the last 15 years, the number of Post Office branches has remained steady at 11,500. That’s helped our nation’s elderly, including the 2.3 million without internet access stay connected to their family and friends. It’s helped rural communities stay connected to the big cities. And it’s helped small businesses ship to their customers affordably. With more bank branches closing, often it’s Post Offices that provide vital banking services.
Since my election in July 2024, I have successfully opposed the planned closure of post offices across South Shropshire, including in areas such as Clunton and Clunbury. I have also campaigned for the resumption of services in Cleobury Mortimer.
However, new government plans threaten to derail this progress. Under one option being consulted on, the minimum branch requirement could be abolished. Labour are threatening to close post offices across the country, forcing residents to travel further to pay bills, withdraw cash, and send letters and parcels. This could cut access to Post Offices for the elderly and rural communities and push thousands of Post Masters out of work who have served our communities for many decades.
Labour's new consultation on the Post Office system means that from 6th October, closures across the country are likely to be announced - with every Post Office at risk. The release of their Green Paper is open ended, and means that they may:
- Remove the three-mile radius within which services must be to residents.
- Remove the current mandate to maintain a minimum of 11,500 Post Office branches.
- Target services which may mean closing branches they deem ‘over served’.
- Phase out part-time or outreach/mobile branches – which are typically rural.
Once again, Keir Starmer is targeting the elderly and vulnerable, businesses, and rural communities. Reduced services assume people, particularly these groups, are able to travel further for key services like postage and banking.
URGENT: SIGN THE PETITION TODAY TO PROTECT OUR LOCAL POST OFFICES
