THE Post Office is to continue providing DVLA services – thanks to a campaign led by a Peeblesshire postmaster.

More than 100,000 people signed a petition organised by the National Federation of Subpostmasters (NFSP).

As previously reported, West Linton-based Calum Greenhow, who is the CEO of the body, visited Downing Street in a bid to get the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency and Post Office to sign an extension to their current contract.

And the company has announced a one-year rolling deal for up to three years has been agreed.

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Mr Greenhow said: “This just shows what can be achieved when everybody works together.

"We thank all our customers for their support.

"Collectively 100,000 people signed our petition across the United Kingdom and we’re grateful that has encouraged DVLA to look closely at any offline provision that is required.

“They can see that the Post Office network is vital in providing services of public economic interest.”

The contract will start from Monday, April 1.

However, International Driving Permits are not included in the new agreement and are subject to a separate procurement exercise, the outcome of which is expected in early 2024.

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Ruth Buckley-Salmon, the NFSP public affairs manager, added: “A big thank you to everyone for their help in promoting this campaign.

“The result highlights what can be achieved when the NFSP membership works together.

"We will continue to campaign for government services to remain at post office counters as we believe everyone has a right to in-person access.

“As ever, please feel free to contact me about any issue you feel the NFSP should be campaigning on at ruth.buckley-salmon@nfsp.org.uk”

In a message to postmasters, Owen Woodley, the deputy CEO at Post Office, said: "I am pleased to announce that following intensive negotiations with DVLA, Post Office has now agreed and signed a new contract that allows vehicle tax and ten-year renewal products to be sold in Post Offices until March 31, 2025.

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"Although the contract is for an initial term of one year from March 31, 2024 until March 31, 2025, we will meet with DVLA each year to discuss extending the contract which can run for a maximum of three years, until March 31, 2027.

"We made a commitment to keep you, our postmasters, updated in a timely and transparent way. As Post Office is bound by confidentiality restrictions in our contracts with government, despite a prolonged period of negotiations, we have been unable to share this fantastic news with you before now.

"The negotiations haven’t been easy. Our aim throughout has been to ensure that postmasters receive fair remuneration for DVLA transactions and that Post Office’s associated costs for providing the services are covered. I’m pleased to let you know that we have been able to achieve this.

"We had already extended our contract with DVLA earlier this year which resulted in improved remuneration for our postmasters. This deal means that we will maintain this level of remuneration for vehicle tax and ten year renewal transactions.

"We recognise that this has been an extremely unsettling time and we want to thank you for everything you and the NFSP have done to highlight how important our government services products are to our customers, and the fantastic job you do in serving them.

"The vital role that Post Office plays in providing in-person DVLA services in our branches has been a key element of these negotiations and we look forward to continue providing these services which are so important to you and our customers."