Many UK sub-postmasters are earning less than the National Minimum Wage and are actively considering closing or selling their business according to the National Federation of Subpostmasters (NFSP).

At the NFSP annual conference, Calum Greenhow, Chief Executive of NFSP  revealed the findings of a survey of 1,000 of its members, who have been subpostmasters for an average of 12 years.

The survey found:

76% are making less than the hourly National Minimum Wage from working in their post office

61% are taking home less income over time – and one in five subpostmasters, or their spouse or partner, had to take on work elsewhere to make ends meet

One in three did not take a single day’s holiday last year

22% are planning to close, downsize or hand on their business in the next 12 months

The survey also showed the biggest concerns were falling income and increased expenses, caused by a combination of reductions to remuneration rates; low transaction rates for banking services; increased staff costs; more customers using Royal Mail services directly; and fewer using a Post Office Card Account.

Greenhow told the conference: “We can see how easy it would be for Subpostmasters to lose faith and feel disenfranchised, to feel the system is working against them. For many of you, your feet are going to do the talking”.

He said to subpostmasters: “The social value of the post office network that you are part of is estimated to be as high as £9 billion. This is your collective worth to UK society. We intend to make sure that the government and MPs recognise the vital work carried out by the subpostmasters of this country…The NFSP has been in existence for over 120 years, placing the interests of its members first and we will continue to do that”.