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A major transformation to Royal Mail deliveries has started as part of an extensive overhaul. Commencing yesterday (Monday, July 28), second class letters are now arriving on alternating weekdays and not on Saturdays.
Ofcom stated that postal service reform was essential as individuals are posting fewer letters annually, causing stamp prices to continue climbing as delivery costs increase.
The modifications mean second-class letters will arrive either on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or on Tuesday and Thursday, within a fortnightly rotation.
“These changes are in the best interests of consumers and businesses, as urgent reform of the postal service is necessary to give it the best chance of survival,” said Natalie Black, Ofcom’s group director for networks and communications, reports Birmingham Live.
She added: “The company now has to play its part and implement this effectively.”
Royal Mail’s parent company, International Distribution Services (IDS), described Ofcom’s announcement as “good news for customers across the UK”, stating it would support a “reliable, efficient and financially sustainable Universal Service”.
Martin Seidenberg, IDS chief executive, claimed the alterations reflect the “realities of how customers send and receive mail today”.
However, consumer group Citizens Advice argued Royal Mail had a “woeful track record of failing to meet delivery targets, all the while ramping up postage costs”. Tom MacInnes, Citizens Advice director of policy, expressed his disappointment with Ofcom, stating it had “missed a major opportunity to bring about meaningful change”.
“Pushing ahead with plans to slash services and relax delivery targets in the name of savings won’t automatically make letter deliveries more reliable or improve standards,” he added.
The UK Greeting Card Association also voiced its disapproval of the move, expressing concern that “concerned that a reduction in the second-class service, would lead to a reliance on uncapped, unregulated first-class mail that is increasingly unaffordable for businesses and consumers alike”.
The Liberal Democrats labelled Ofcom’s announcement as a “deeply worrying decision that could leave countless people who rely on these deliveries in the lurch”.
“People need to know that their post will arrive on time so they can go about their lives, and this move flies right in the face of that,” stated the party’s business spokesperson, Sarah Olney.
