Royal Mail underperforming due to management restructure

• 4 July 2022
• Transport / Logistics Services

Royal Mail delivery offices have been rotating streets that that are not to receive letters due to a failed restructuring programme, an MP told the House of Commons last week.

Labour MP Barry Gardiner (Brent North) raised the concerns with the Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng. Gardiner said in the House, “Royal Mail delivery offices around the country are having to decide which street to rotate this morning not to get their letters.

“This is because there has been a wholesale restructuring going on in Royal Mail, which was by agreement for about 1,400 managers, in fact, but there’s now a further 900 delivery office managers who are being made redundant.

“The strain is showing in the service delivery.

“So, could we have an urgent statement please from the Business Secretary about the failure of the senior management in Royal Mail to implement a restructure that actually delivers service for the people of this country?”

Commons Leader Mark Spencer replied: “Royal Mail is an organisation which I know delivers, quite literally, for our constituents up and down the country.

“People deserve their mail to arrive on time and I know lots of businesses and individuals rely on that service. I will make sure the Secretary of State is aware of his comments.”

Managers who are Unite the union members voted to go on strike last week over increased workloads brought about by restructuring.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Royal Mail denied the allegations, “The new structure has been in place since May 23, and managers are now in their new roles. Deliveries are operating as normal across most of the country.”