Joan is seen meeting with constituents and representatives from local Post Offices at a lobby of Parliament last Wednesday. From left to right: Mrs Linda Walton, Mrs Barbara Morris, Mrs Joan Walley MP, and Mr John Morris.

I know that one of the most important parts of any community is its Post Office. It is often a centre for community life, and provides all the essential services of the Post Office network – from stamps to banking facilities to payment of benefits. It can also serve as the only shop which is handy for many people. Sometimes, the Post Office can be such a part of every day life that we can’t imagine it not being there.

In recent months, there have been changes announced to the services which Post Offices provide. The DVLA, TV Licensing Authority and the Department for Work and Pensions are all changing the way that people can access their services, and this has meant that they have not renewed contracts the Post Offices. This is why a lot of local people are worried about the future of our local Post Offices.

I am taking the current challenges for the Post Office network very seriously, and I was pleased to meet with representatives of local Post Offices at a lobby of Parliament which took place last Wednesday. Hundreds of sub postmasters from around the country had come to lobby their MPs and tell them about the day to day difficulties which they face.

Times and the role of the Post Office are changing, but by no means should cause them to close. I have been pressing Government to set out a clear set of options to ensure that Post Offices do not need to close, just because people need different services from them – like access to their bank account. Government should help Post Offices provide those services, and should not stand aside and let them close.

I have tabled an Early Day Motion which ‘calls upon the Government to set up a task force and work cross-departmentally to support diversified and sustainable post offices at the very heart of the communities they serve.’ 78 MPs have now supported my motion and I am writing to Ministers to see that everyone concerned works together to preserve this important national network.  At the same time, I am pleased to see the Deputy Prime Minister is chairing a task force which looks at what options exist to keep smaller post offices open.

If you live in Stoke-on-Trent North and would like to speak to me about any of these issues, then do be in touch.  I shall keep any interested constituents informed about the progress I make in this important area.