Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many temporary sub-postmasters are currently operating branches in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) Northern Ireland, and (d) each region of England.

The Government recognises the critical role that post offices play in communities and for small businesses across the UK. This is why the Government committed to safeguard the post office network and protect existing rural services. The overall number of post offices across the UK remains at its most stable in decades with over 11,500 branches thanks to significant Government investment of over £2 billion since 2010.

While the Government sets the strategic direction for the Post Office, it allows the company the commercial freedom to deliver this strategy as an independent business. Matters relating to postmasters, network transformation and the operation of post offices by retailers are operational matters for the Post Office. I have therefore asked Post Office Limited to write to the hon Member on these matters. A copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.