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Martin Lewis has suggested people to stock up in advance
Personal finance expert Martin Lewis has issued a warning to households across the United Kingdom, urging people to consider buying stamps now before a sharp price increase takes effect.
The alert comes after Royal Mail confirmed another rise in postal prices – the eighth increase since 2020. From 6 April, the cost of sending a first-class letter will climb to £1.80, while second-class stamps will increase to 91p, as first reported by The Daily Express.
To put the change in perspective, a first-class stamp cost just 76p in 2020. Once the latest increase takes effect on 7 April 2026, the price will have surged by roughly 137% over six years.
Why should people buy now?
The financial guru said one simple tactic could help households avoid paying the higher price: buy stamps before the increase and keep them for future use. He explained that stamps showing only the postage class (rather than a printed price) remain valid even after prices rise.
He said: “Every time stamp prices go up, I suggest people stock up in advance. As long as the stamp just states the postage class, it still works after the increase.”
He noted that the price of a first-class stamp has risen dramatically over the years — from 60p in 2012 to £1.70 today, and soon £1.80.
The price hikes won’t stop at standard letters. Royal Mail has also confirmed increases across several other services from 7 April, including:
- Signed For delivery
- Special Delivery Guaranteed
- Tracked services
- First- and second-class parcels
The price changes arrive amid mounting criticism of the postal service’s performance. Lawmakers have raised concerns that Royal Mail is struggling to meet delivery targets set by the regulator Ofcom.
MP Dave Robertson said residents in his constituency were frustrated with ongoing delivery problems. He claimed postal delays have become so severe that some people no longer trust the service.
Consumer groups are also questioning whether higher prices are justified. Citizens Advice warned that stamp prices should not keep rising without clear improvements in service.
Anne Pardoe, the organisation’s Head of Policy, said people are increasingly unsure whether important letters — including medical appointment notifications and official documents — will arrive on time.
Royal Mail said the price increases reflect the rising cost of delivering letters and the long term decline in mail volumes.
According to the company, people in the UK now send around 70% fewer letters than they did 20 years ago, even as the number of delivery addresses has grown to 32 million.
Royal Mail added that the average UK adult spends about £6.50 per year on stamps, arguing that prices still reflect the realities of maintaining a nationwide postal network.
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