Issues at Royal Mail are ‘systemic’ says East Lancs MP

An East Lancashire MP has said that issues faced by Royal Mail are “systemic” following a pre-Christmas visit.

Andy MacNae, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, visited the sorting officers after hearing concerns from constituents ahead of Christmas, the Royal Mail’s busiest period of the year.

He said it was clear that everyone who worked for Royal Mail was feeling the weight of the service under immense pressure.

Labour MP Mr MacNae said: “In recent weeks, I have visited the Royal Mail delivery offices for Rossendale and Darwen after hearing concerns from constituents.

“It’s clear that everyone is feeling the weight of a service under immense strain.

“​Local teams and managers are working tirelessly to clear backlogs, but the issues facing Royal Mail are systemic.

“When expectations on the frontline become unsustainable, it creates a revolving door of staff that makes a consistent service nearly impossible.

​“I believe our local posties want to deliver the best possible service, but they need a national framework that supports them rather than just placing more pressure on them.”

READ MORE: ‘It’s a vital service’: Post Office to reopen in town six years after closure

READ MORE: Pictures: Grand opening of street’s Post Office after closing six years ago

He added that he would continue to advocate in Parliament for a Royal Mail that prioritises its workforce and its customers over short-term targets.

In September, the Post Office proposed policy reforms with a Government Green Paper consultation described as a “once-in-15-year opportunity”.

These include extending the Post Office’s offer to customers for enhanced banking and parcel services, improving its government service delivery, including offering a place for digital ID or pharmacy prescription collection.

Mr MacNae added: “We need a service that is as resilient as the people who work for it.”