I rise to present a petition about Horspath outreach post office and to urge the Government to take urgent action following its closure in March 2025 and the retirement of the postmaster in nearby Great Milton. The outreach post office served as a vital community hub for residents. Many older and more vulnerable villagers now face significant barriers to accessing essential postal and banking services.
Over 600 residents—over half the village—have signed the petition, which shows just how important this is to them. I was happy to join Judy, Rebecca, Sheila, Shelagh and Anna to present this petition to 10 Downing Street. They join Sue and Derek in the Public Gallery today. I thank them, among others, for their hard work and dedication in bringing forward this petition.
It cannot be right that the retirement of a long-serving and dedicated postmaster is used as an excuse to cut services. The Post Office has a duty to residents of Horspath and should fulfil it. I hope that the Government and the Post Office will now take notice of the residents of Horspath and work together with them to ensure that residents can once again access those postal services.
The petition states:
“The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take immediate action to reopen Horspath Outreach Post Office.”
Following is the full text of the petition:
[The petition of the residents of the United Kingdom,
Declares that Horspath Outreach Post Office should be reopened, further notes that since its closure on 28th March 2025 there has been a significant negative impact on residents who previously used the post office services; further declares that it has impacted elderly people, parents and those with mobility issues or without a car's ability to access services; further declares that local businesses including Horspath Hub and the Senior Residents Club have been impacted; notes that the Outreach Post Office ran alongside successful community events like coffee mornings; and provided a central community for locals; further notes that the two sub Post Offices 3 miles from Horspath are insufficient to deal with the needs of the community; further notes that a Sub-Postmaster has been found to run the Outreach Post Office; further declares that the Post Office Ltd. should review its reasons for closing the Post Office.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take immediate action to reopen Horspath Outreach Post Office.
And the petitioners remain, etc.]
[P003085]