UK Post Office Plans Major Job Cuts

The Post Office is contemplating a drastic reduction of its workforce, with plans to cut staffing from approximately 3,100 to around 1,000 jobs as part of a strategy to save £200 million. This review, initiated by interim chairman Nigel Railton, aims to improve the pay of sub-postmasters, who operate most of the branches and are not expected to be affected by the job cuts. However, this proposal raises concerns about the future of Crown Post Offices, which are directly employed by the company, as well as potential closures of rural branches due to decreased funding. The move comes in the wake of the Horizon IT scandal, which saw over 900 sub-postmasters wrongfully prosecuted due to faulty software. The chief executive, Nick Read, is currently facing scrutiny at the Horizon Inquiry as these discussions unfold. The outcome of this review and its implications for the Post Office's operations will be shared with staff and stakeholders in the coming weeks.