19

Letter of Support is a commitment, not a blank cheque or financial guarantee.

Conclusion
We were concerned that the Letter of Support effectively acts as the Post Office having a “blank cheque” from the Department, and asked what conditions were attached to it.32 The Department told us that there is a rolling working capital requirement that the Department manage. The Department explained it involves UK Government Investments (UKGI) to provide assurance around the financial structures of the Post Office. In a subsequent letter from the Department, it confirmed it will provide financial support to the Post Office to enable it to meet its liabilities as they fall due for a period of no less than 15 months from December 2024, but is subject to receiving HM Treasury approval and the application of the Subsidy Control Act 2022. As such it reaffirms the Department’s commitment to support the Post Office but deliberately falls short of being a financial guarantee.33
Government Response

A response document is linked to this report, dated 18 September 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document.

Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 1.2 yr
Report published 25 Jun 2025