Background to The Post Office Network Transformation Programme Review

If you are a subpostmaster impacted by the Network Transformation Scheme/Programme which was rolled out in post offices across the UK between 2012 to 2018, please contact Howe + Co.

Howe + Co solicitors, instructed by The National Federation of Subpostmasters (“NFSP”) (who represent 6,800 subpostmasters operating 8,500 post offices) have together, been responsible for bringing this latest scandal into the public arena in order to seek justice for subpostmasters affected.

Howe + Co with the NFSP have secured agreement from the Government to an independent review of the Post Office Network Transformation Programme.

Contact us below if you would like to join Howe + Co and the NFSP in seeking justice for those impacted by the Network Transformation scandal. 

What is The Post Office Network Transformation Programme/Scheme

In May 2011, when launching the Network Transformation Programme/Scheme, Mr Edward Davey MP (Minister for Postal Affairs, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills addressed the conference of the NFSP and set out his Department’s vision to increase the use of post offices to deliver Government services. He confirmed that post offices would be “the front office for government”.

The Network Transformation Programme ran from 2012 to 2018.

As part of the Network Transformation Programme additional services promised by the Government to subpostmasters included:

• Theatre/cinema tickets
• Train tickets
• DWP application forms
• ID document verification
• Local fishing licences
• Payment of speeding fines

What Went Wrong with The Network Transformation Programme

The government work promised under the Network Transformation Programme never materialised. Existing work such as council tax and bus pass payments as well as the Post Office Account card for pensions and benefits were removed. This significantly impacted footfall through post offices and linked retail income.

Records show that the value of Government work/services delivered through post offices fell from £576 million in 2005 to £30 million over a twenty year period. Despite promises made under the Post Office Network Transformation Programme, postmasters were worse off.

Progress on the Network Transformation Programme Review

The NFSP, together with Howe + Co have communicated directly with Jonathan Reynolds MP and subsequently Gareth Thomas MP and Blair McDougall MP to further the interests of those impacted by the Network Transformation Programme scandal. 

In October 2024 representations were made to the Department for Business and Trade seeking “an urgent and clear commitment to a full review of the implementation, conduct and consequences of the Network Transformation Scheme”.

It was made clear that any review would necessitate an investigation into the conduct of Post Office during the roll out of the Network Transformation Programme/Scheme between 2012 to 2018 and should consider compensation to subpostmasters forced to close their branches as a result.

On 8 April 2025 Gareth Thomas, MP announced to the House that the Government would “commission an independent review of the conduct of the [Network Transformation] programme to establish whether there was any improper or coercive behaviour”.

We continue to push for any review of the Network Transformation Programme to be on a Statutory footing, ideally in the form of a Public Inquiry.  In support of this the NFSP with the assistance of Howe + Co have made further representations for the review to be in the form of an independent Public Inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005, with power to compel witnesses to give evidence and demand full disclosure from Post Office Limited and Government.

The Next Steps

Many subpostmasters suffered serious financial losses as a result of the misconduct of Post Office under the Network Transformation Programme.

Following a meeting with NFSP members on 5 November 2025, Howe + Co, instructed by the NFSP, representations have sent to the current Minister, Blair McDougall MP addressing concerns regarding the proposed review. We are seeking an undertaking from the Minister that the review the Network Transformation Programme/Scheme will meet the demands of NFSP members’ for a full, fair and transparent Inquiry with teeth. 

Conclusion

In summary, the key points are as follows:

• Early investigations into the roll out of the Network Transformation Programme between 2012 and 2018 has exposed further potential unlawful action by Post Office.
• Those responsible must be held to account and subpostmasters who suffered must be compensated.
• To achieve accountability, justice and compensation, pressure must be placed on government to hold a full, transparent and fair Public Inquiry into the Network Transformation Programme.

Subpostmasters experienced both common and individual issues and concerns under the Network Transformation Programme.

Howe + Co would like to hear from subpostmasters to further understand their experiences. This will help our work with the NFSP in securing from the government a meaningful review of the Network Transformation Programme. Any meaningful review must include an investigation of all concerns and issues raised and must benefit all subpostmasters impacted.