To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what research his Department has conducted into the social benefit of Post Office branches to local communities.

The Government fully understands and recognises the important role that post offices play in providing a wide range of vital services to the communities that they serve. The Government's policy statement, “Securing the Post Office network in the digital age”, published in November 2010, was clear on this point and made clear commitments that there would be no repeat of the closure programmes of the previous administration that saw nearly 5,000 communities lose their post offices. Since 2010 this Government has committed nearly £2 billion to maintain, modernise and protect the Post Office network.

Additionally, the Department funds Consumer Futures via a levy on the postal services sector, allowing it to undertake independent research into the services provided by the Post Office and their effectiveness in meeting customer need.