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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what equality impact assessment has been undertaken on the franchising of 74 crown post offices to WHSmith announced in October 2018.

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. Impact assessments in respect of the franchising of Crown Post Offices to WHSmith are an operational matter for the Post Office. I have therefore asked the Group Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the hon. Member on this matter. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.