Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, is proposing significant changes to Royal Mail's delivery services. These changes include reducing second-class letter deliveries to every other weekday and lowering delivery targets for both first-class and second-class mail. The regulator argues that these adjustments are necessary to align the postal service with modern usage patterns and international standards.
Royal Mail may soon be permitted to cease Saturday deliveries for second-class letters, as Ofcom proposes changes that would also decrease broader postal delivery targets. Following a consultation, the regulator has provisionally decided to reduce second-class letter services to every other weekday. First-class deliveries would be retained six days a week to satisfy postal users' requirements. Additionally, Ofcom is contemplating lowering Royal Mail's delivery targets.
First-class mail targets will decline from 93% to 90% for next-day delivery, and second-class mail goals will decrease from 98.5% to 95% within three days. These adjustments are intended to align more closely with international and European standards. Natalie Black, Ofcom’s group director for networks and communications, remarked: 'The world has changed – we’re sending a third of the letters we were 20 years ago. 'We need to reform the postal service to protect its future and ensure it delivers for the whole of the UK. 'But we’re safeguarding what matters most to people – first class mail six days a week at the same price throughout the UK, and a price cap on second class stamps.' Emma Gilthorpe, chief executive of Royal Mail, stated: “As Ofcom’s analysis demonstrates, it is no longer financially viable to maintain a network constructed for 20 billion letters when we are now only delivering 6.7 billion. “Reform is crucial to support a modern, sustainable, and dependable postal service for our customers, our company and our people.” The Communication Workers Union (CWU) cautioned that the overhaul must be accompanied by improved working conditions for Royal Mail staff and service enhancements. Dave Ward, general secretary of the CWU, stated: “The trials that we have agreed with Royal Mail are strictly conditional on the basis that we see a considerable improvement in service reliability for customers, as well as terms and conditions for postal workers being improved – including improved attendance patterns, more Saturdays off, agreed long-term job security and the creation of a genuine platform for growing the company. “Any failure to adhere to these conditions will result in our support being withdrawn.” “The prospective owners of Royal Mail, EP Group, have pledged to restore confidence in the UK postal service – we will hold them accountable to this,” he added
OFCOM ROYAL MAIL DELIVERY TARGETS POSTAL SERVICES UK
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