To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will propose to Post Office Limited measures to address morale amongst Post Office workers, in the context of the Postal Services Bill. [HL4163]

The Government have introduced a range of measures which combine to better equip Post Office Limited, and its staff, to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The Government have proposed the creation of a new, expanded board for Post Office Limited, with a non-executive chair. This will provide a new level of support and challenge for Post Office Limited's management team.

In addition, the Postal Services Bill provides powers which allow the Government to take responsibility for historic pension liabilities within the Royal Mail pension plan. This includes liabilities for staff working in Post Office Limited, who will be treated the same as staff working in Royal Mail Group Limited.

Staff who work for Post Office Limited are currently on secondment from Royal Mail Group Limited. They are not formally employed by Post Office Limited. On a reorganisation of the Royal Mail group of companies, they will be transferred to become direct employees of Post Office Limited on exactly the same terms and conditions as they enjoy now. The Postal Services Bill contains provisions to confirm that the employment law protections offered by the TUPE regulations will be provided to staff affected by the transfer.