THE Post Office is a vital part of Truro’s high street and community. For many, it is a place to access cash, with the Post Office stepping in as banks withdraw from towns and cities. It offers essential services, from collecting pensions and returning parcels to renewing passports and driving licences. At a time when more services move online, Post Offices provide important in-person support, particularly for older and more vulnerable residents; and postal services are a lifeline for small businesses.

When the Post Office informed me that its counter and shop within TG Jones on Pydar Street will close on 6 October, I knew that swift relocation was a priority. I had already been working with the Post Office and the owners of TG Jones in Parliament and the search for a new location had already pre-emptively begun. Now that TG Jones has formally given notice, the Post Office is working with me, Truro City Council, Truro Business Improvement District and Cornwall Council to find an alternative location. I convened an urgent meeting to begin planning the relocation and minimise disruption for all of us, cross-party, and we met today and emphasised the importance of the city centre post office branch.

The people of Truro have come together without hesitation, with many businesses putting themselves forward and offering potential new premises, demonstrating just how valued this service is within our community.

While securing a new home for the Post Office is my urgent focus, many constituents have been worried about the state of postal services more generally. Royal Mail's reliability has become an increasing problem for many residents, despite the efforts of the hard-working postal workers. Last month, alongside many other MPs, I wrote to the Minister to raise concerns about Royal Mail’s letter delivery performance because people across Truro and Falmouth have been missing important letters, and that’s just not good enough.

The issue became particularly apparent when almost half the invitation letters I sent out ahead of my 'Tea with MP' event in Carnon Downs were not delivered in time, despite being posted well in advance. If these invitations are failing to arrive on time, it is easy to understand why many people are worried about missing other more important letters, such as a hospital appointment.

This Labour government has been clear that Royal Mail's service is unacceptable. People expect postal services to run well, with letters arriving on time. Royal Mail has been called into Parliament, and the Government will continue to engage with them and apply pressure to ensure they are held to account for their failure. Alongside this, Ofcom, the postal regulator, has been given six months to demonstrate that it has the power needed to regulate effectively.

I will continue to fight for a better postal service and to ensure Truro retains a Post Office in the city centre, because our community depends on these vital services.