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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many (a) break-ins and (b) robberies at Post Offices there have been in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) Northern Ireland, and (d) each region of England in each month in each of the last three years.

The Government recognises the critical role that post offices play in communities and for small businesses across the UK. 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. This funding allows branches to be modernised to meet consumer’s evolving needs, whilst ensuring the safety and security within branches.

I have asked Nick Read, the Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write on this matter. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.