Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the pilot services run by Post Office Ltd to (a) verify identities for the National Insurance application process, (b) support job seekers in rural areas, and (c) verify supporting documents for customers of the pension scheme, (a) started, (b) will finish; and what the cost to the public purse has been of those pilots.
While the Government sets the strategic direction for the Post Office, it has the freedom to deliver its strategy as an independent business. Therefore, this issue is an operational matter for Post Office Limited.
However, BEIS Ministers and officials do engage regularly with representatives of Post Office Limited on a range of strategic issues of mutual interest.