Written question asked by Claire Hazelgrove (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 September 2026. It was answered by Kate Dearden (Labour) on Thursday, 10 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.

Bank Services and Post Offices

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he is taking to help ensure that people can access essential postal and banking services through face-to-face provision, including when there are closures such as at Morrisons Daily in Downend.

Answer: The Government has set Post Office Ltd a clear direction to maintain a network of at least 11,500 branches and to continue meeting its access criteria, ensuring that people across the UK can access Post Office services locally. Decisions relating to individual Post Office branches are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. In relation to Downend Post Office, the branch operated by Morrisons closed on 15 August 2026. Post Office Ltd has advertised the opportunity and has received expressions of interest from potential operators.

Secondary information