Jonathan Edwards, MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr has called for a better deal for Post Offices.

It comes after the news broke earlier this month that Ammanford is set to lose another of its banks in the town when Barclays announced it would be closing its College Street branch this summer. 

Mr Edwards has made the case that there should be an option for sub-postmasters to be considered employed workers. This, he said, would bring a whole host of benefits for them, and increase the security of local Post Offices in future. 

He also pointed out that as the Post Office has only one shareholder, the British Government, the responsibility for this change would lie solely with them.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Edwards highlighted the increased importance of the local Post Office in modern society, particularly with the sharp increases in local bank branch closures.

Post Offices have become the only everyday banking service available for many communities in Carmarthenshire.

Mr Edwards said: “Last week we received news that Barclays was closing its branch in Ammanford - the biggest town in my constituency, leaving only one bank. The other market towns in my constituency have faced a similar fate if not worse, with all banks closing. This leaves the Post Office as the last provider for everyday banking services in most Carmarthenshire communities.

"Is it not time to give the option for recognising sub postmasters as employed workers as opposed to independent contractors so that they are remunerated properly for their contribution to our communities?

"I’m aware of the significant increase in pressure on many of our local Post Offices in the constituency. The British Government, in my opinion, has a duty of care as the main shareholder to ensure a continuity of service for our local communities."