...investment is needed, says MP

He believes the service is “not working properly” in Bexhill and needs to be improved.

Mr Barker met with CWU reps because he received complaints from constituents about sub-standard delivery.

He was told problems were due to “significant under-manning” at Bexhill Post Office but felt the workforce did its best to cope during the busy Christmas period.

He added: “I am not convinced the Post Office locally is being managed well. There is an underlying need to reform the Royal Mail to ensure the standard of service that people have the right to expect.

“That does mean we need to get more investment into it to update and modernise the company and improve management. And that, particularly in the current climate, is going to mean private investment to bring the Royal Mail into the 21st century.

“The Royal Mail isn’t working properly in Bexhill. The status quo is not acceptable. The service needs to be improved. The bottom line is that means bringing in new investment.”