WEST LINTON postmaster Calum Greenhow attended Downing Street last week and submitted a petition to Rishi Sunak to retain DVLA services at Post Offices.

The petition, which has been signed by hundreds and thousands of postmasters and customers, was created to put pressure on the Government to reverse their decision to remove all DVLA Services by March 2024.

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He was joined by four fellow postmasters and MP Marion Fellows (SNP) & Chair of the House of Commons All-Party Parliamentary Group on Post Offices.

Mr Greenhow who is CEO of The National Association of SubPostmasters said, “Presenting this petition to Downing Street is a critical moment for us. Every year services are being removed from Post Offices and this is our chance to fight back.

“The fact that so many customers signed our petition demonstrates that the public want DVLA services to remain available in Post Offices.

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“As de facto business partners of government, we need genuine support to maintain our ability to provide vital services in our communities across the country.”

MP Marion Fellows (SNP) & Chair of the House of Commons All-Party Parliamentary Group on Post Offices said, "The National Federation of SubPostmasters could not have been clearer in its opposition to the withdrawal of DVLA services from our high street Post Offices.

The petition shows that people from all walks of life are backing them because the damage which will come from these changes is incalculable.

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"The UK government - and Rishi Sunak - can put an end to this plan in short order by responding to the compelling concerns which have been raised and can reverse this decision. This is about freedom of choice for customers.

"People who are not used to using online services, such as elderly people or those with disabilities should be allowed to have an alternative. Currently, 1.2 million adults do not have a bank account and 6% of households equating to 1.51 million people do not have access to the internet.

"Sub post offices can be, and should be, nurtured by the UK government because of their role in acting as high street hubs, providing access to cash and increasing footfall in our communities.

"Our Post Offices have suffered grievously because of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. Now is the time for that to change and the UK government can start that process now.”

Six million people use the Post Office network for accessing DVLA services per year.

A DVLA spokesperson said: “The Post Office currently provide a limited range of DVLA’s services and an extension to the current contract has been agreed until 31 March 2024.

“We want our customers to be able to access our services as quickly and as easily as possible, and the role of front office counter services will form part of the considerations of any future service offerings.”