Energy bills for the average post office have jumped 249% and are set to rise by £6,000-£8,000 next year – putting these community hubs and the essential services they provide at risk of closure, new research reveals.
The research from London Economics shows that Post Office and its 11,500 branches contribute £4.7bn to the UK economy per year and visits to post offices generating over £3bn a year of spending in nearby shops and businesses. However, this contribution is under threat if post offices cannot afford to pay spiralling energy costs.
The Post Office is calling on the government to continue to support them by extending the Energy Bill Relief Scheme for its branches beyond 31 March 2023.
To date, the Energy Bill Relief Scheme has helped cap the increase in energy bills for post offices, which has been a lifeline for thousands of postmasters. The government is now reviewing the scheme to determine which businesses are most vulnerable and merit continued support, with a decision expected by the end of December.
Nick Read, Chief Executive at Post Office, said: “Our postmasters are not immune to the profound cost-of-living crisis and escalating energy bills, and they need help to survive this winter and beyond.
“Government should not overlook the important role they play in the economy and in keeping us all connected – both nationally and in every local community across the country – and we strongly urge them to extend the Energy Bill Relief Scheme support in place for post offices beyond 31 March 2023.”
