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Royal Mail first class stamps have risen by 14 per cent in price today. It is the second time the cost of first class stamps has increased this year.
The price of a first class stamp for standard size letters has now increased from £1.10 to £1.25. The costs for other stamps has also risen – with a first-class stamp for large letters up from £1.60 to £1.95
A second class stamp for large letters has gone up from £1.15 to £1.55. But second class stamps for standard letters are priced the same at 75p.
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Royal Mail has blamed the latest hikes on rising cost pressures and universal service obligation. It is required to deliver letters to all UK addresses six days a week, MirrorOnline reports.
A full list of price changes is on its website. Nick Landon, chief commercial officer at Royal Mail said: “We understand the economic challenges that many of our customers are currently facing and have considered the price changes very carefully in light of the significant decline in letter volumes.
“Letter volumes have reduced dramatically over recent years, down more than 60 per cent from their peak in 2004/5 and 3 per cent since the pandemic. It is vital that the Universal Service adapts to reflect this new reality.”
The cost changes come after Royal Mail replaced traditional stamps with ones with barcodes. These enable the sender to scan the parcel and watch a video online.
As of August 1, a letter or large letter posted with a non-barcode stamp will be charged at £1.10. Those receiving mail sent using non-barcoded stamps will be given a “Fee to Pay” card telling them they must pay the surcharge.
The only stamps you can continue to use are “special stamps” issued to commemorate anniversaries and events, as well as Christmas stamps. If you still have old stamps, you can exchange them through the Royal Mail Swap Out scheme.
You’ll need to download a “Swap Out” form on the Royal Mail website, call up Royal Mail on 03457 740740, or pick up a form from a local delivery office or Post Office.
Royal Mail stamp price rises from today
- First – Standard £1.25 (up from £1.10)
- First – Large £1.95 (up from £1.60)
- Second – Standard 75p (no change)
- Second – Standard £1.55 (up from £1.15)
