Union Urges Government To Keep DVLA Services In Post Offices In South East

The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) are calling on the Government to reverse their decision to remove DVLA services from the Post Office network in the UK.

MP Marion Fellows (SNP) & Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Post Offices, is also lending her support.

Earlier this year, the Government announced its decision to remove all DVLA services from March 31, 2024.

The NSFP say removing face-to-face transactions will have an 'extremely negative impact on vulnerable and digitally excluded customers whilst also jeopardising the livelihood of 50,000 full-time equivalent employees who work in the post offices around the UK'.

Across the UK, currently six million customers access DVLA services across Post Office counters. 

Local postmaster Paul Money who owns a Mains Post Office in Arundel, West Sussex said:

"This is another classic example of the Government removing a much-needed service from a nationwide network of over 11,000 branches. Many of these branches are run as franchises by independent retailers who rely on the revenue from Government services, including DVLA, to survive.”

“The Government seems to have no interest in our customers, many of whom are elderly and have no access to the internet or have little intention of becoming connected. In addition, a high proportion of these transactions are paid in cash, which only goes to prove the value of cash in our society today."

Paul added:

"The role of the Post Office, despite the recent well-publicised issues, is still much needed in communities up and down the land and remains a trusted brand. It’s a lifeline for so many people of all ages and an essential service.  

"The Government needs to realise what an incredible asset it has in this network and begin  re-investment in front-office services for the benefit of all.”     

“Removing services, including DVLA, will further erode the network and could force many postmasters who have invested considerable sums to close, leaving communities without vital daily services.”

Calum Greenhow, CEO, is based at the NFSP’s headquarters in Shoreham, and said:

“Whilst online is very much with us in a modern world, the Government’s digital by default policy is pushing us directly into a cashless society, which will have an impact on many vulnerable groups.

"Due to the growth of online services, we are living increasingly isolated and sedentary lives, which generates mental and physical health problems. Conversely, the Post Office is a place where people can meet and communicate with their community and by using it, can keep services available locally.”

Marion Fellows MP (SNP), Chair of the House of Commons All-Party Parliamentary Group on Post Offices, said:

"My clear message to the UK government is that the decision to withdraw DVLA services from sub post offices is unacceptable.”

“The Tory administration in Westminster has previously said that post offices would be the 'front office' of government in communities across the UK, yet this action is the opposite of that. We have seen unprecedented financial pressures on sub-post offices through Covid and the cost-of-living crisis. They need UK government support for the 50,000 equivalent full-time jobs they maintain.”

“The National Federation of SubPostmasters has a comprehensive and compelling case.

"Now the UK government must listen and reverse this incredible decision."

In response to the Government’s decision, the NFSP have set out a campaign to raise awareness of this campaign and a petition to collect signatures called “Prevent Government from removing DVLA services from the post office from April 2024’. 

Members of the public can sign the petition here but the NFSP are encouraging their customers to go into their local post office and physically sign an offline petition. 'This will support their local post office and protect this vital community service.'

Calum said:

“We hope to present a significant number of signatures to Government and MPs on 2nd November this year so the issue can be debated in Parliament and presented at Downing Street to persuade them to reverse their decision.

"If Government continues to remove services from Post Office counters, then the network will go the way of many of the banks and cease to exist on our High Streets and within our communities.”

The NFSP added: 'Postmasters are self-employed businesspeople who have invested their own money into the Post Office network. Collectively they employ around 50,000 full-time equivalent employees, who rely on their businesses to help them pay bills and provide for their families'.

The NFSP say that last year, the network earned over £3m from providing DVLA services so 'at a time when there is a cost-of-living crisis, the loss of the DVLA income will hit Postmasters hard along with their ability to continue to employ staff'.