Royal Mail has received approval to discontinue Saturday deliveries for second class post starting July 28, marking a significant overhaul of the postal service. Additionally, second class post will now only be distributed on alternate weekdays. Despite the reduction in service frequency, the communications regulator Ofcom has ensured that there will still be a target for second class letters to reach recipients within three working days.
Ofcom initially proposed the reduction of days for second class post in January this year, a plan that has now been officially confirmed. The regulator estimated that this move could save Royal Mail between £250 million and £425 million. Over the past two decades, the volume of letters delivered to UK households has declined from 20 billion to 6.6 billion.
In light of Royal Mail facing fines exceeding £16 million in the last 18 months due to missed delivery targets and subpar performance, first class post will continue to be delivered from Monday to Saturday.
Natalie Black, Ofcom’s Group Director for Networks and Communications, emphasized the necessity of these changes for consumers and businesses to improve the postal service’s chances of survival. She stressed that while altering Royal Mail’s obligations is crucial, the company must effectively implement these changes and communicate them clearly to customers. Ofcom will monitor the situation closely to ensure that customers benefit from these adjustments.
Martin Seidenberg, group chief executive of Royal Mail’s parent company International Distribution Services, welcomed Ofcom’s decision, highlighting its positive impact on customers nationwide by enhancing the reliability, efficiency, and financial sustainability of the universal service.
Tom MacInnes, Director of Policy at Citizens Advice, expressed concerns about Royal Mail’s historical failure to meet delivery targets and increasing postage costs. He criticized Ofcom for not instigating more substantial changes, cautioning that cost-saving measures and relaxed delivery targets may not automatically enhance the reliability and quality of letter deliveries. MacInnes urged for tangible actions to ensure that Royal Mail prioritizes affordability and reliability for its customers.
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