Royal Mail has received approval to implement a significant alteration to its second class postal service, effective immediately. Ofcom has granted permission for Royal Mail to discontinue Saturday deliveries for second class post. Additionally, Royal Mail will now deliver second class post on alternate weekdays instead of the previous six-day schedule.
This adjustment, already being tested in select areas following the announcement in January, aims to maintain a target for second class letters to reach recipients within three working days. By reducing second class deliveries, Royal Mail is anticipated to save between £250 million and £425 million, as estimated by Ofcom.
The decrease in mail volume to UK households from 20 billion twenty years ago to 6.6 billion presently has also influenced this decision. Despite facing fines exceeding £16 million in the last two years for failing to meet delivery targets, Royal Mail will continue six-day-a-week deliveries for first class post.
Natalie Black, Ofcom’s Group Director for Networks and Communications, emphasized the necessity of these changes for consumers and businesses to ensure the postal service’s viability. She stressed the importance of Royal Mail fulfilling its obligations effectively and communicating clearly with customers about the service modifications and their benefits.
Martin Seidenberg, group chief executive of Royal Mail’s parent company International Distribution Services, expressed optimism about the changes supporting a dependable, efficient, and financially sustainable universal service for UK customers. These adjustments reflect extensive consultation with individuals and businesses to align the postal service with modern mail sending and receiving practices.
Recent price increases for first class and standard second class stamps were implemented by Royal Mail in April, with first class stamp prices rising from £1.65 to £1.70 and second class stamps from 85p to 87p. These price adjustments, including increases in other services like “Signed For” and “Tracked,” were attributed to the decline in letter volumes.
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