Mutualisation of the Post Office

Mutualisation of the Post Office.

Following Government reports advocating ideas in which ownership is moved towards customers and employees, the Post Office has shifted nearer to mutualisation.  Subpostmasters and the Government embraced Co-operatives UK’s statement.

The mutualisation of the Post Office could be a practical idea as soon as 2015, but depends on the result of a public meeting.

The main ideas comprise of the following:

• Although Government should be involved, it should not be an affiliate or owner
• The members should own the Post Office
  
• Subpostmasters, charitable organisations and groups, customers, employees and subpostmasters should be eligible to be a member
  
• The main role of the Post Office should be able to work to the advantage of the public, but needs to be legally protected.  

The Postal Services Bill, which is at present put forward to Parliament, suggests that dividing Royal Mail and the Post Office and privatising Royal Mail and either keeping 100 per cent possession of Post Office or moving to mutual ownership.