DREW HENDRY: Have your say on how to protect our vital services
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When banks closed their doors they reassured us that local post offices would fill the void. Yet, as post offices face similar challenges, our communities are grappling with the consequences, just as we had feared.
Rural communities are now confronting the harsh reality of losing their post office, a story we have seen played out in villages and towns across the Highlands and even here in the city.
Local postmasters have struggled with the near-impossible funding model, barely making a living wage. Government intervention is required to establish a new framework that works for rural postmasters and communities. There is broad cross-party support for these postmasters because it is clear to see that the way they get paid isn’t fit for purpose.
Post office closures have significant consequences. Local businesses struggle to access essential support, while elderly and vulnerable residents face barriers to basic support. Often post offices serve as social hubs and these closures ultimately weaken the heart of our communities, undermining their resilience.
This week, I have written to both governments urging their support for a three-point plan to protect these vital services in rural communities:
The UK government must intervene to ensure the Post Office adopts a funding model that enables postmasters to earn a living wage while ensuring the sustainability of local post offices. This long-overdue action has broad cross-party support.
Legal protections must be established around vital services such as banking, post offices, and broadband provision. We need a minimum service commitment to protect smaller communities.
If the UK government genuinely wants to level up, rural communities must be at the front of the queue for support, and both governments need to work with and listen to the needs of Highland communities.
We must also explore ways governments can support local communities to lead where the systems are letting them down. Although there are fantastic examples of community-led initiatives, we cannot leave this to chance. We cannot have thriving, interconnected rural communities if we have a lack of basic service provision.
You know best what your community needs, and I would love to hear your thoughts on how we can work together to protect these vital service. Visit www.drewhendrymp.scot/communities to share your thoughts.
