Penrith Town council discussed concerns over Government proposals to stop DVLA services operating in Post Offices from March 2024 at its meeting held on Monday night.
From March 31, 2024, DVLA services will be removed from Post Offices in the UK, something that will impact six million customers, including many locally in Penrith and the local area.
Postmasters have warned that this will particularly impact their elderly and most vulnerable customers who are unable to use DVLA services online while also reducing the numbers of people coming into Post Offices and harming their business and that the DVLA service removal is the latest in a long line of problems they have faced in recent years.
A spokes person for the National Federation of Supbpostmasters and Subpostmaster has said the Government is showing "no regard for the Post Office network" "These proposals by the UK Government are going to have a huge impact on our customers who rely on using the Post Office to access DVLA services such as paying their road tax and are unable to do so online.”
“This will also have a big impact on the Post Office network, as it will see us losing more customers at a time when Post Offices are having to close across the UK and this will only see more and more close their doors.”
A concern raised by members of Penrith Town council at its meeting on Monday night was "There will be many elderly and vulnerable customers who will struggle if these services are withdrawn.”
The town council voted to send a letter to government and the DVLA to raise its concerns and opposition to the plans to remove DVLA services from post offices in March.
The National Federation of SubPostmasters has launched a petition calling for a reversal of the proposals saying: "Six million people use the Post Office network for accessing DVLA services per year. Half use cash as a payment method, linked to the cost of living crisis.”
"As banks exit the High Street and communities across the UK, there is a growing requirement for a national infrastructure that can provide vulnerable customers with essential face to face services. The existing network of privately-owned small businesses that make up the Post Office is the obvious solution to support these vulnerable groups."
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A DVLA spokesperson said: “The Post Office currently provide a limited range of DVLA’s services and an extension to the current contract has recently 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.”
You can sign the National Federation of SubPostmasters petition online via: https://goto.penrith.town/removing-dvla-services-from-the-post-office
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
