Firms and unions voice fears over Royal Mail bid

Small businesses and charities have raised concerns about a Czech billionaire’s attempted takeover of Royal Mail, as the government prepares to assess the national security implications.

Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group increased its proposal to 370p per share on May 15, from an initial 320p-a-share approach to International Distributions Services (IDS), Royal Mail’s owner. IDS has said that it would be “minded” to agree to a takeover.

Kretinsky, whose EP Group already owns a 27.5 per cent stake in the postal operator, was said to have agreed “contractual undertakings” to protect Royal Mail’s status as a key part of national infrastructure.

IDS said the tycoon was committed to the universal service and had agreed to maintaining Royal Mail’s plans to retain first-class letter deliveries for six