The coalition government began consultation on its proposal to create a mutual structure for the Post Office.
Source: Building a Mutual Post Office, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Links: Consultation document | DBIS press release | Consumer Focus press release | Co-operatives UK press release | Unite press release | Public Finance report
Date: 2011-Sep
A report examined issues associated with maintaining and improving public services in rural areas of England during a period of budgetary austerity. The pressure facing some services – for example rural primary schools, libraries, and buses – was already reaching a 'tipping point'. A fundamental change in the way services were delivered was therefore needed to maintain access to services in some areas.
Source: Rob Hindle and Ivan Annibal, Developing Collaborative and Innovative Approaches to the Delivery of Rural Services, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Sep
The consumer rights watchdog said that the Post Office had the potential to become a 'neighbourhood bank' – offering access to bank accounts for all, regardless of provider, and improving access to face-to-face banking services.
Source: Andy Burrows, Counter Measures: Delivering access to current accounts for all at the post office, Consumer Focus
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Aug
The Postal Services Act 2011 was given Royal assent. The Act provided for the privatization of Royal Mail, subject to safeguards in relation to maintaining a universal postal service.
Source: Postal Services Act 2011, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, TSO
Links: Act | Explanatory notes
Date: 2011-Jun
A report said that people living in rural parts of Wales faced up to 20 per cent higher living costs than in urban areas, the biggest part of which went on transport. Impractical public transport services meant that car dependency was more pronounced in rural areas, and many households felt that they had no choice but to use a car for getting to work, school, shops, and other services – with a disproportionate impact on those on lower incomes.
Source: Making Sustainable Transport Easier for Rural Communities, Sustrans Cymru
Links: Report | Sustrans press release
Date: 2011-Jun
A government-commissioned report examined how best to transfer the Post Office from government ownership into a mutual organization.
Source: Mutual Options for Post Office Ltd, Co-operatives UK
Links: Report | Co-operatives UK press release | DBIS press release | ABCUL press release | Consumer Focus press release | People Management report
Date: 2011-May
An article examined the challenges and complexities raised by community ownership of physical assets, based on a study of village halls.
Source: Sarah Skerratt and Clare Hall, 'Community ownership of physical assets: challenges, complexities and implications', Local Economy, Volume 26 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-May
An article examined an innovative subsidy designed to overcome barriers to housing provision in rural Scotland.
Source: James Morgan and Madhu Satsangi, '"Reaching the parts other grants don't go?" Supporting self-provided housing in Rural Scotland', Housing Studies, Volume 26 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-May
The consumer rights watchdog examined people's experiences of the 'Post Office Local' pilot scheme, under which services were transferred into nearby shops, petrol stations, or other existing retail facilities – and which could see around 2,000 traditional sub-post offices replaced. Although the scheme offered benefits, significant changes were still needed to make sure that it worked for customers and could help deliver a long-term future for the post office network.
Source: Local But Limited? Will Post Office Locals meet consumers' needs?, Consumer Focus
Links: Report | Consumer Focus press release | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Apr
An article examined the impact of community-based services and activities on the lives of people aged 70 or over in rural England. 'Village services' promoted social inclusion by enhancing older rural residents' access to the resources, rights, goods, and services that encouraged social interaction and meaningful participation in community life.
Source: Peter Dwyer and Irene Hardill, 'Promoting social inclusion? The impact of village services on the lives of older people living in rural England', Ageing and Society, Volume 31 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Feb
The Postal Services Bill was given a third reading. The Bill was designed to secure the futures of Royal Mail and the Post Office on a sustainable basis. The Royal Mail would be privatized, but the future of the universal postal service would be safeguarded at uniform prices and service levels. The Post Office would not be put up for sale, and an opportunity would be created for mutual ownership.
Source: Postal Services Bill, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, TSO | Debate 12 January 2011, columns 293-397, House of Commons Hansard, TSO
Links: Bill | Explanatory notes | Hansard | DBIS press release | BBC report
Date: 2011-Jan
A report examined the impact of the economic recession on housing in rural areas. Access to the rural housing market for first-time buyers remained 'highly constrained' due to high prices and tight lending criteria.
Source: Rural Economies Intelligence: Rural Housing, Commission for Rural Communities (Countryside Agency)
Links: Link removed
Date: 2011-Jan