Support for post offices

That this House recognises the vital role post offices play in supporting rural communities by providing access to banking, cash withdrawals and deposits, parcel services and essential retail facilities; notes that, following widespread high street bank closures, post offices have become the primary point of access to in-person banking for many residents, particularly older or digitally excluded people in rural economies such as West Dorset; further notes with concern that changes by banks to services available through post offices risk undermining their long-term viability and reducing access to essential services; further recognises the dedication of postal workers serving rural communities despite the challenges of longer delivery routes and dispersed populations; expresses concern that postal delivery performance remains well below target, with first-class mail delivery at 79.2% in the Dorchester postcode area against a 93% target; also notes persistent parcel delivery failures in rural areas from delivery companies like EVRI, including missed deliveries, inaccurate tracking, incorrect delivery locations and inadequate customer support; believes rural consumers deserve reliable and transparent postal and parcel services; and calls on the Government to support the long-term sustainability of the Post Office network, work with Royal Mail to improve rural delivery performance, strengthen Ofcom's oversight of parcel delivery operators, require retailers to inform customers at the point of purchase which courier will be used, and work with the Post Office, banks and other stakeholders to safeguard banking services, ensure key financial services remain available through post offices, and secure their future at the heart of communities.