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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what support (a) the UK Government, and (b) Post Office Ltd is providing to sub-Postmasters to (i) prevent break-ins and robberies and (b) mitigate the financial and emotional effect of break-ins and robberies.

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.