UK Government Considers Post Office Ownership Transfer

UK ministers are considering transferring ownership of the Post Office to sub-postmasters in a move towards a co-operative model, following the fallout from the Horizon IT scandal that wrongfully convicted over 900 sub-postmasters. The Department for Business and Trade has engaged the Boston Consulting Group to explore mutual ownership options similar to the John Lewis Partnership, with a report expected in the coming months. This initiative aims to address the Post Office's financial challenges, which are heavily reliant on government subsidies, amid increasing public outrage and scrutiny over its operations. Critics, including key figures involved in the scandal, express skepticism about the feasibility of this plan, cautioning that ongoing government support will likely be necessary even if ownership changes. The Horizon scandal, labeled the UK's largest miscarriage of justice, has severely damaged relationships between the Post Office and its sub-postmasters, prompting calls for a complete overhaul of its operating model. As discussions progress, the government is under pressure to restore trust and accountability within the beleaguered institution.