CROWN POST OFFICE CLOSURE AND FRANCHISE PROGRAMME

That this House condemns the announcement of 10 January 2017 that the Post Office is planning to close and franchise 37 flagship Crown branches, including the Dundee Crown Post Office in Dundee constituency; notes that those cuts follow announcements in 2016 to close and franchise 62 Crown offices; further notes that this closure and franchise programme means worse services for customers, the loss of skilled jobs, the loss of community assets and impact on the health of local businesses; and calls on the Government to halt the planned closure and franchising programme, end the job cuts and come back with a realistic plan to support the Crown Post Office branches around the UK.