David Drew (Stroud, Labour)

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the potential for the location of credit union activities in post office branches.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry (Parliamentary Secretary, HM Treasury; Portsmouth North, Labour)

The Government recognise the potential for closer working between the Post Office and credit unions. I understand that the Post Office and the Association of British Credit Unions Limited have been holding discussions on this subject. The Government will be holding a national consultation on banking services at the Post Office, which we hope to launch by the end of the year.

David Drew (Stroud, Labour)

I thank my hon. Friend for that pleasing news, but we have heard these ideas before and it is vital that the poorest among our community, who find it most difficult to borrow, can go to the most trusted institution—the Post Office—to use credit unions. Will she ensure that that happens as a matter of urgency?

Sarah McCarthy-Fry (Parliamentary Secretary, HM Treasury; Portsmouth North, Labour)

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. He may be interested to learn that back in September I officially opened the first credit union to share premises with a post office, which is in Pollok, in the constituency of my hon. Friend Mr. Davidson. One could see the potential for the synergy between the post office and the credit union: they were not just sharing premises; they were also sharing the staff.