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Post Offices: Closures

Asked by David TaylorLabourDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and TradeTabled Answered 7 September 2026UIN 19290

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of convenience store closures on access to essential services, including Post Office provision, in (a) towns and (b) neighbourhood centres.

Answered by Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade

The Government recognises the important role that convenience stores and Post Office branches play in supporting local communities and providing access to essential services. Many Post Office branches are co-located with retail premises, including convenience stores, and Government fully appreciates that the closure of such premises can have an impact on local access to services. Government protects access to Post Office services through minimum access criteria, including a requirement that 99% of the UK population live within three miles of a Post Office branch.

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