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Postal strike – government services and advice
- Published: Thursday, 5 November 2009
Postal services may still be disrupted because of the mail strikes. Find out how to reduce the impact of any future postal strikes and information on key government services.
Reducing the impact of the postal strike
To reduce the impact of a mail strike, try to use online services as much as possible.
You can now do hundreds of tasks online with Directgov, such as:
- renewing or applying for a passport
- taxing your car
- completing a tax Self Assessment
For further advice on how you can reduce the impact of a postal strike, follow the link below.
Local council services online
You can also access local council services through Directgov.
Follow the link below to find tasks you can do online, such as:
- paying your Council Tax
- applying for a Blue Badge parking permit
- checking your eligibility for benefits
- applying to register on the electoral roll
- reporting an abandoned vehicle
Passport applications
You should not book any travel arrangements until you have received your passport.
If you are renewing or applying for a passport, the Identity and Passport Service recommends you use the Post Office Check & Send service.
You can also leave your application in the 'post boxes' at any of the seven Regional Passport Offices. There is no charge for doing this but you cannot include cash with these applications.
For more information on how the postal strike may affect passport applications, including how you will receive your passport and supporting documents, follow the link below.
Getting your benefit payments
People who get their payments by cheque from the Department of Work and Pensions might be affected by disruption to postal services.
People who get payments paid directly into their accounts will not be affected.
Find out more by following the link below.
Tax credits and Child Benefit payments
You may be affected by the postal strike if your tax Credits or Child Benefit payments are usually paid to you by cheque.
You will not be affected if your money is paid directly into a:
- bank account
- building society
- Post Office card account
Find out more by following the link below.
Motoring services
Many motoring services are available online or by phone, such as declaring a vehicle off-road or applying for a driving licence.
Driver licensing
You don't have to rely on the post to apply for your first provisional driving licence or renew, update, exchange or replace your existing driving licence.
You can do all of these online through Directgov.
Follow the link below for more information on:
- applying for a first provisional driving licence
- renewing your driving licence at age 70 or over
- changing the address on your driving licence
- exchanging your paper driving licence for a photocard driving licence
- getting a replacement if your licence has been lost, stolen, defaced or destroyed
Vehicle licensing
If you need to renew vehicle tax or declare a vehicle off-road, you can do it online or by phone.
Tax discs
If you have applied for a new tax disc there's still plenty of time for it to arrive by first class post before the end of the month.
You can legally drive or keep your vehicle on the road while displaying your old tax disc for up to five working days, provided you have applied for a new disc before the old one expires.
Find out more about tax discs and vehicle licensing by following the link below.
Applying for school places
Each local authority sets its own deadline for applications - there is no national date.
While the postal strikes have been called off until after Christmas, mail services may still be affacted.
For further information on how to apply for a primary or secondary school place, follow the link below.
