Motion text
That this House is deeply concerned by the recent announcement that 74 Crown post offices will be closed and franchised to WHSmith, which will mean a total loss of 60 per cent of Crown offices since 2013; notes the use of public funds to finance the closure and franchise programme despite the fact that the public has never endorsed the closures, and has only ever protested against such closures; further notes that in 2014-15, £13 million of public funds was used to pay compensation to reduce the number of post office staff and that the Communication Workers Union (CWU) estimates the staff compensation cost of the latest privatisation will be at least £30 million, with 800 jobs now at risk; recognises that research by Consumer Focus in 2012 and Citizens Advice in 2016 shows that WHSmith franchises result in longer queuing times, inferior service and advice and poor disabled access; questions the privatisation of profit-making Crown offices and handing them to a retailer which is closing stores and relies on a business model of low pay and part-time employment; notes that this round of privatisation will also see the loss of prime high street Crown office stores and that this will contribute to the demise of town centres; and urges the Government to stop this wasteful and unpopular franchising programme and to work with stakeholders, including the CWU, to develop a new strategy that safeguards the future of the post office.
Signatures (44)
The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.
Stevens, Jo
Labour
Signed on
25 October 2018
Hopkins, Kelvin
Independent
Signed on
26 October 2018
Skinner, Mr Dennis
Labour
Signed on
26 October 2018
Hayes, Helen
Labour
Signed on
29 October 2018
Saville Roberts, Liz
Plaid Cymru
Signed on
29 October 2018
Rimmer, Ms Marie
Labour
Signed on
29 October 2018
In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.
Bailey, Mr Adrian
Labour
Signed on
1 November 2018
Coaker, Vernon
Labour
Signed on
13 November 2018
Cruddas, Jon
Labour
Signed on
26 November 2018
Cunningham, Mr Jim
Labour
Signed on
30 October 2018
Dromey, Jack
Labour
Signed on
13 November 2018
Duffield, Rosie
Labour
Signed on
13 November 2018
Ellman, Dame Louise
Labour
Signed on
12 November 2018
Frith, James
Labour
Signed on
13 November 2018
Gaffney, Hugh
Labour
Signed on
31 October 2018
George, Ruth
Labour
Signed on
5 November 2018
Glindon, Mary
Labour
Signed on
6 November 2018
Hendrick, Sir Mark
Labour
Signed on
21 November 2018
Hoey, Kate
Labour
Signed on
28 November 2018
Howarth, Mr George
Labour
Signed on
5 November 2018
Jones, Graham P
Labour
Signed on
14 November 2018
Kinnock, Stephen
Labour
Signed on
12 November 2018
Lucas, Caroline
Green Party
Signed on
1 November 2018
Malhotra, Seema
Labour
Signed on
26 November 2018
Maskell, Rachael
Labour
Signed on
1 November 2018
Morgan, Stephen
Labour
Signed on
19 November 2018
Norris, Alex
Labour
Signed on
27 November 2018
Reed, Mr Steve
Labour
Signed on
29 November 2018
Reeves, Ellie
Labour
Signed on
22 November 2018
Russell-Moyle, Lloyd
Labour
Signed on
5 November 2018
Sharma, Mr Virendra
Labour
Signed on
21 November 2018
Sheppard, Tommy
Scottish National Party
Signed on
20 November 2018
Stephens, Chris
Scottish National Party
Signed on
29 October 2018
Streeting, Wes
Labour
Signed on
22 November 2018
Thomas, Gareth
Labour
Signed on
28 November 2018
West, Catherine
Labour
Signed on
21 November 2018
Slaughter, Andy
Labour
Signed on
4 December 2018
Nandy, Lisa
Labour
Signed on
10 December 2018
Phillips, Jess
Labour
Signed on
11 December 2018
Brown, Alan
Scottish National Party
Signed on
12 December 2018
McMorrin, Anna
Labour
Signed on
14 December 2018
Turley, Anna
Labour
Signed on
18 December 2018
Hendry, Drew
Scottish National Party
Signed on
11 January 2019
Gapes, Mike
Labour
Signed on
27 February 2019
There are no withdrawn signatures for this motion.