Plans to close over 100 Post Office branches condemned

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has condemned Post Office plans to close 115 crown office branches — those owned by the company directly — and “streamline” head office operations, putting around 2,000 jobs at risk.

“The Post Office is a key part of the national infrastructure,” emphasised CWU general secretary Dave Ward.

“It keeps communities connected, is a lifeline to the elderly and most vulnerable in society and should be the shop front for so many government services.”

Ward said that for the company to announce the closure of hundreds of Post Offices “hot on the heels of the Horizon scandal”, in which hundreds of sub-postmasters and postmistresses were prosecuted for stealing because of incorrect information from the Post Office’s Horizon computer system, “is as tone deaf as it is immoral”.

He added: “CWU members are associated victims of the Horizon scandal and to now fear for their jobs ahead of Christmas is yet another cruel attack.”

He called on the Post Office to immediately halt the planned closures and attached consultations — which, he said, had historically been nothing but paying lip service — and to engage with the union on protecting jobs and services.

He also called on the government to intervene over the “shambolic decision”.