Martin Lewis says old 1st and 2nd stamps will become ‘unusable’ next year

A warning has been issued to those with first or second class stamps to use them while they still can.

Money expert Martin Lewis has urged Brits to act soon to avoid being left out of pocket to get them used before the deadline of January 2023.

A more secure, digital version featuring a barcode is being brought in to replace the traditional paper stamp we all know and love.

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This new system will see each barcode paired with a ‘digital twin’ that can be connected using the Royal Mail app.

You have until January 31, 2023, to use any existing Royal Mail first and second class stamps.

But the postal service will also let you ‘swap out’ these stamps for free, reports ManchesterEveningNews.

You will be able to exchange current stamps for barcoded ones for free under Royal Mail’s new ‘Swap Out’ scheme, which opens on March 31, 2022, and will run until March 31, 2023.

This will be via a ‘Swap Out’ form on the Royal Mail website – you’ll then have to post the no longer valid stamps back.

Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, warned people to use their stamps up to avoid being left out of pocket.

He said: “For years, every time stamps go up in price I’ve suggested people stock up and bulk-buy in advance; as provided the stamp doesn’t have a price on it and instead just says the postage class, it’s still valid after the hike.

“This has been an effective tactic, as a first class letter stamp is now 85p – a decade ago it was just 60p.

“So this change will come as a shock to the many stamp hoarders out there. It’s the first time I can remember you’ve not been able to just lick it and stick it.

“And we don’t yet know if you’ll still be able to swap the stamps after March 2023, so this is a call to arms (or tongues) to ensure you either use ’em or swap ’em.”

Royal Mail says the barcode on the new stamps will provide ‘additional security features’ that will support its efforts to improve the safety of the post it handles.