A consumer watchdog is calling for more local government services to be made available through post offices.
Consumer Focus Scotland (CFS) believes this would help the elderly, poor and vulnerable who find it difficult to visit council offices or go online.
It surveyed all local authorities and discovered almost all offered the ability to make council tax payments at post offices and most did so for rent payments.
Just under half said business rates payment facilities were available and around one-third offered national travel concession applications and payments for social care fees.
Dundee was one of the best on the list, with post office customers able to access six services, while Fife and Perth and Kinross offered four each.
Angus was one of a handful of authorities not to make use of post offices at all.
Midlothian and Shetland had the best records, each making seven government services available at post offices.
CFS praised a pilot project by Fife Constabulary that allows people to report minor crimes at seven post offices, along with submitting driving documents, handing in lost property and leaving non-urgent messages for officers.’Come together’Spokeswoman Annie McGovern said, “Post offices are Scotland’s largest retail chain, as well as being trusted and valued hubs embedded in local communities.
“There are some great examples of how post offices are being used by councils and others such as the police to deliver public services to local residents.”
She added, “Offering more council services at post office counters could bridge the digital divide and help to preserve these vital community assets that so many vulnerable people clearly depend upon.
“It’s time for the Scottish Government, councils and the Post Office to come together and develop a plan that will boost our post offices and the services they offer vulnerable people.”
More than two-fifths of pensioners and one-third of people on low incomes or with disabilities visit a post office once a week.
The survey of 1000 adults found that 78% of those who were interested in using post offices to access government services were attracted by the convenience.
The CFS report said, “This clearly shows that despite the decline in the number of post offices in Scotland over the past decade, the size and spread of the network remains its unique selling point with consumers.”
Fife MSP Willie Rennie said, “The Consumer Focus report also shows how Fife police are using the post offices to help local people report crime and recover lost property.
“This sort of innovation is at risk if Fife police are scrapped and a single national police force imposed on our area.”