HC Deb 31 October 2002 vol 391 cc906-7W
Vernon Coaker

To ask the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to protect post offices in areas of urban deprivation. [76424]

Mrs. Roche

The Government announced their commitment to set up "a £15 million fund to sustain and improve post offices and associated retail facilities in deprived urban areas" in the 'Urban White Paper', which was published in November 2000.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is seeking to launch the scheme in the autumn of 2002, with receipt of first applications early in 2003.

The proposed scheme will seek to contribute to the regeneration and renewal of urban deprived areas through sustaining and improving sub-post offices. Where sub-post offices face risk of closure, it is expected to support:

  • improvements relating to core post office services;
  • improvements relating to the development of non-post office facilities; and
  • improvements to a sub-postmaster's working conditions, particularly to deter violent and other crime.

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