Big changes coming to the Post Office before Christmas

The Post Office will have 500 self-service parcel drop boxes in place by the end of 2026, Treasury announced on Monday (26 October). The rollout will reach 1,000 drop boxes by the end of the financial year in March 2027.

The drop boxes let customers send and return parcels without queuing at a Post Office counter. The government said the boxes would take some of the hassle out of everyday errands in the run-up to Christmas. The Post Office will also upgrade 600 of its branches by the end of the financial year.

The rollout forms part of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s series of “everyday fixes” aimed at saving households time and money. Earlier fixes in the series targeted unfair airline charges, subscription traps, rogue traders and rip-off school uniform costs.

“We are taking on the big challenges facing the country. But that doesn’t mean losing sight of the everyday problems that cost people money or simply aren’t fair,” said Burnham.

The same package removes import tariffs on more than 100 products, including baked beans, chocolate and gherkins. The government said these cuts, together with earlier tariff suspensions, could save households up to £21 a year on their food shop.

Chancellor John Healey will deliver the Budget on Wednesday (28 October).

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