Rural Scotland People, Prosperity and Partnership
Post Office ServicesIn 1994, it was agreed that Post Office Counters limited should offer the services of its network of 20,000 Post offices to a wider range of clients. This policy has led to a diversification of the services provided through local Post Offices. A number of new services, such as bureaux de change, travel insurance, and the free payment of gas bills have developed alongside the more traditional uses of Post Offices such as sale of postage stamps, and the point of access for the Royal Mail (including ParcelForce), the National Savings Bank, and the Benefits Agency. Post Offices are now the largest retailer of National Lottery tickets. These activities should help strengthen the network of Post Offices, not least those in rural areas. An essential principle of the Royal Mail postal services is that of uniform delivery cost across the United Kingdom. This principle is of obvious importance to Scotland, and it remains unchanged in plans for the development of the Royal Mail.
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