ONE of Warrington's MPs has raised the issue of struggling Post Offices in the House of Commons.
Andy Carter, the Conservative MP for Warrington South, spoke in Parliament in support of Post Offices, which are struggling more and more during the cost of living crisis.
Mr Carter spoke about his experience meeting the sub-postmaster of Latchford Post Office, Chris Borroughs, who told the MP that 80 per cent of transaction commissions go into the pocket of the Post Office, leaving him with 20 per cent to pay staff, business rates, and rent.
Raising the issue of dwindling support for local Post Offices in Parliament, Mr Carter explained that Post Offices are becoming more and more important for the most vulnerable in society, especially given that more banks are leaving the country's high streets.
Mr Carter said: "It is very clear to me that the Post Office is the first port of call for so many that are vulnerable in society, and it's increasingly important because of the reduction of banks on our high streets.
"What is very clear is that the economics of running a small sub-Post Office just don't work anymore."
The Conservative MP then explained his eyebrow was raised when a minister suggested he was looking to introduce pay reviews for executives: "I wonder whether he would consider extending that to look at how sub-postmasters are actually remunerated so that we don't lose any more Post Offices from our highstreet?"
Responding to the Warrington South MP, the minister in question praised the vital work done by Chris Borroughs in Latchford, as well as others who run Post Offices, saying: "I can thank [Mr Carter] for his question, and for the work that Mr Borroughs does for the community."
He then went on to explain that the Post Office has been heavily subsidised by the taxpayer, to the tune of £2.5billion over the last 10 years.
However, the minister added: "[Post Offices] are needed more now than ever, with the demise of many banks on our high streets, [he is] absolutely right to say that."
He added that measures to ensure the future of the Post Office network are under review by the Government.
Last week, it was reported that the Post Office in Culcheth is also under threat, with the management saying that the village is close to losing its local office.
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