There was no financial support provided to the rural post office network until this Government introduced the social network payment in 2003. Allocations since then have been: £146 million in financial year 2003-04; £151 million in 2004-05; and £147 million in 2005-06. For this and the next financial year we have made available up to £150 million per annum. Additionally, £2 million was made available under the capital start-up scheme introduced in July 2001.