POSTMASTERS in North Wales have slammed a decision to eliminate DVLA services from the Post Office network.

Earlier this year, the Government revealed its decision to remove all DVLA services from March 31 2024. The move has been described as "another nail in the coffin," and one that will severely affect the "most vulnerable".

It is felt that removing further face-to-face transactions will have a negative impact on vulnerable and digitally exclude customers. It also has potential to jeopardise the livelihood of 50,000 full-time equivalent employees who work in the post offices around the UK. 

The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) and Marion Fellows MP (SNP), Chair of the House of Commons All-Party Parliamentary Group on Post Offices, are among those calling on the Government to reverse their decision to remove DVLA services from the Post Office network in the UK.

The message to not axe the DVLA from Post Office counter services is being reinforced by Sue Judd, Non-Executive Director for Wales who has her own Post Office in Rhos on Sea; Gwyneth Millington, who has a Post Office in Abergele and Post Master Huw Hilditch-Roberts owns two Post Offices in Denbigh and Ruthin. 

Ms Judd said: "We have 969 Post Offices providing and supporting 2,830 jobs directly and indirectly in Wales.

 “Post Offices play a vital role within our Welsh communities. Removal of DVLA services, such as tax, driving licences and international driving permits, is unfair and will marginalise many customers including the elderly and vulnerable who visit us with their preferred payment of cash. 

 “Many do not have online access nor the means to pay online and visit the Post Office to carry out their transactions. We also tax vehicles for customers who have been unsuccessful in submitting their car or van tax online and therefore visit the Post Office.

 “Overall, this will surely have an effect on mental health and will not only weaken the financial position of our Post Office businesses but also may contribute to further Post Office closures. 

"The Post Office is purportedly front office of Government. However, withdrawal of Government services from our Post Office Network has been in steady decline over the past 20 years.”

RELATED STORIES

Ms Millington said: “We provide a bilingual service and support the older customers who require support in completing paper forms. Our customers would be at such a loss if the service was removed.

“If not for the Post Office, I would not be able to tax my car, drive legally in the UK or be able to join my son on a moped in Thailand.”

Mr Hilditch-Roberts said: "The Government pledged more services , not less, they are disabling the whole network of post offices.

"My customers are not happy with this decision. This is just another nail in the coffin, my business was already struggling, and the removal of another service is the last straw, this will affect the most vulnerable.

"In a time where banks are closing the need for Post Office has never been greater.

"The government need to support post office services not reduce."  

Currently six million customers across the UK access DVLA services across Post Office counters. Half of those pay in cash. 

Ms Fellows said: "My clear message to the UK government is that the decision to withdraw DVLA services from sub post offices is unacceptable.”

“The Tory administration in Westminster has previously said that post offices would be the 'front office' of government in communities across the UK, yet this action is the opposite of that. We have seen unprecedented financial pressures on sub-post offices through Covid and the cost-of-living crisis. They need UK government support for the 50,000 equivalent full-time jobs they maintain.

“They are vital for people who need to use cash, and they provide a vital community hub for our high streets in these trying economic times. Latest research shows that the use of cash has actually increased, which may be as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. Many elderly people, or people with a disability, or people who are digitally excluded, need to use cash, and need face to face local services. Post offices provide this, and the UK government should be supporting that, not undermining it.”

The NFSP have set out a campaign to raise awareness and a petition has been launched. Members of the public can sign the petition here but the NFSP are encouraging their customers to go into their nearest post office and physically sign an offline petition. 

The NFSP hope to present a significant amount of signatures to Government and MPs on November 2 this year so the issue can be debated in Parliament.

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 March 31 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.”

Postmasters are self-employed businesspeople who have invested their own money into the Post Office network. Collectively they employ around 50,000 full-time equivalent employees.

Last year, the network earned more than £3m from providing DVLA services.

Post Office DVLA services are currently still in place. People can renew their driving licence online at https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence. Drivers can also renew their licence by post using a D1 form.

Motorists are also able to tax their vehicle by visiting https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax or by calling 0300 1234 321.