The Government has today published its response to the Green Paper consultation on ‘the future of Post Office’, confirming the valuable role post offices play in communities across the UK. Post Office welcomes the response, which provides a clear policy framework for Post Office over the next five to ten years and reinforces Government support for the transformation already underway across the business.
In summary, the Government’s response sets out a long‑term vision that seeks to balance Post Office’s social purpose with the need to modernise and adapt to changing customer expectations through its Transformation Plan, supported by Government funding.
Neil Brocklehurst, Post Office CEO said the Government’s Green Paper response is a vote of confidence in Post Office’s transformation. “It means we can continue to upgrade branches and their technology to provide the modern and efficient retail experience which our customers expect from their local post office. We will continue to work closely with postmasters, partners and Government throughout Post Office’s transformation and, with the right conditions, I’m confident we will see a thriving Post Office network across the UK for generations to come,” he said.
The Government’s response includes:
- New objectives: five priorities for the future of Post Office. These include protecting access to essential services, supporting high streets, strengthening culture within the business, and moving towards greater financial sustainability and less reliance on government funding.
- Network commitment: a continued commitment to a network of at least 11,500 branches, supported by the annual network subsidy for uncommercial branches in remote or rural locations.
- Branch standards: new expectations to improve branch consistency, with at least 50% operating full time and full service.
- Evolving services: early support for the evolution of in-person services, including government and cash services.
- Culture and inclusion: a focus on culture and inclusion, with a call for a strategy by Summer 2026 that will deliver these objectives and ensure a thriving Post Office network for the UK.
You can read the Government’s press release here and their Written Ministerial Statement here. Their response was informed by submissions from over 2,500 responses from postmasters, partners, stakeholders and members of the public during the Green Paper consultation, which ended in October 2025.
Alongside the positive steps announced today, Post Office will continue to advocate for progress in key areas raised in our submission to the Green Paper, including:
- Business rates relief for branches: Postmasters are facing rising costs on the high street. We are asking for tailored business rates relief – similar to the support offered to pubs – in recognition of the vital role post offices play in local communities.
- Enhanced banking services: We want to build on the Banking Framework 4 agreement and work with the banks to explore expanded in person services that benefit postmasters, banks, consumers and small businesses.
- More in person government services: We are calling for cross-government work on public services to deliver practical, scalable services via post offices in a financially sustainable way, particularly for customers who are digitally excluded.
What happens next?
This is the first part of the Government’s response to the Green Paper. The second part, covering culture, governance, and questions about long-term ownership models (including mutualisation), will be published after the second volume of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report, expected later this year.
In the meantime, we will continue to deliver our Transformation Plan, backed by £483 million of Government investment over the next two years. This work is focused on driving income for branches, reducing central costs, modernising branch technology and customer experience, and strengthening the representation of postmasters and partners.
As we deliver our Transformation Plan, we will continue working closely with Government, postmasters and partners, and stakeholders to secure a financially sustainable, modern and community-focused Post Office for the long term.