The mailing equipment manufacturer surveyed 1,000 people in order to reveal the public’s preferences when communicating with the government and local authorities.

It found that 50% of respondents prefer to respond to communications through the post, while 33% opt for email.

However, 74% of respondents said they feared important email messages from government and local authorities could automatically be filed as junk or fail to be noticed, with 84% claiming that important government issues are best communicated by post.

Meanwhile, 95% of respondents agreed that a choice of channels was the key to success when interacting with government agencies.

Pitney Bowes UK managing director Patrick Jelly said: "Technology has changed almost every facet of life. But citizens do not always want to use modern technology to communicate with the government. We think the government needs to listen to people when well over 90% say they want to be offered a choice when it comes to how they receive their information.

"Gauging the public’s opinion is critical and it is only by communicating and interacting successfully with us all that governments will reach their targets for citizen engagement and take-up of services."