Minister pushed on support for postmasters

MP Lisa Smart has written the post office minister to call for a decision on proposals from Post Office Ltd to increase support for postmasters – a crucial hurdle for getting postal services returned to High Lane village. 

Lisa Smart MP said: “In my constituency, we have already seen closures of Post Offices, most recently at High Lane and Fiveways Parade in Hazel Grove. These closures have at least in part because of the commercial pressures on the postmasters.

“I would therefore be grateful to know what the Government’s position is on the changes proposed by the Post Office Ltd, and what the timeline is for the decisions which would confirm or otherwise this increase in remuneration.”

The Post Office proposals include increasing remuneration to local postmasters by £120 million in 2025, and by £250 million by 2030. Without this isolated and rural areas face decimated services. 

The MP has been fighting to attract interest in the services, speaking to a range of potential parties to take up the post, and is still looking to talk to local business owners who might be interested, particularly with the potential for increase remuneration.

She continued: “We have already seen two potential postmasters walk away from providing services in High Lane as the current package is insufficient. People living in isolation need these services to be maintained, and any certainty that can be provided over better support will make easier to reinstate services at the earliest possible date.”