Thank you to all those who have contacted me about the potential closure of Royal Mail customer service points (CSPs).

I appreciate the concerns you raise about the importance of CSPs to members of the public and small businesses, and the value they provide. I therefore welcome that Royal Mail has now stated that having completed the first stage of a review of the CSP network, it has decided to maintain the current estate of CSPs. I will continue to monitor this issue.

More widely, I share the concerns you raise about the management of Royal Mail. I believe it is worrying that last year, Royal Mail’s board led the company to losses of £1 million a day, just six months after reporting huge profits and paying out £567 million in dividends and a share buyback. I am concerned that this puts at risk the stability the company needs to modernise and remain competitive. I also worry that Royal Mail has asked the Government to cut Saturday letter deliveries from the universal service obligation. I believe the Government needs to launch an inquiry into the management of Royal Mail and the risks facing the postal service.

Royal Mail is a cherished institution, and its staff are essential workers. We must ensure it has a successful, long-term future. I believe we need the Government to support the partnership between management, workers and their trade union that is the best way to achieve lasting success for our postal services, and to guarantee that the universal service obligation is secure for the future and will continue to be provided by Royal Mail in a way that is affordable, accessible and financially sustainable.

Thank you once again for contacting me. I can assure you that I will continue to support efforts to press the Government on this issue.