Part of 1. 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:32 pm on 6 December 2016.
Well, it comes down to ensuring that the post office is able to deliver the kind of banking services that businesses would expect. The nature of banking has changed over the years. Fewer and fewer people visit banks. What is absolutely crucial is that people have the facility to withdraw cash, that people have the facility to deposit cheques and cash into a financial institution and also, of course, that small businesses are able to deposit cash at the end of the day when their businesses close. It’s hugely important that where banks leave communities, the post office is able to do that, therefore providing a continuity of service. And that’s why, of course, we’ve provided financial support to post offices over the years, to make sure that communities do have their post offices that can deliver a wide range of services.