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MP Mark Pritchard has welcomed a decision by the Business and Trade Select Committee to haul Royal Mail executives before Parliament, following what has been described as a “systemic failure” in letter deliveries across the country.
The summons comes after a BBC investigation revealed allegations that postal workers were being instructed to prioritise parcels over time-sensitive letters, leading to residents missing vital hospital appointments, school certificates, and bank statements.
Mr Pritchard, the MP for The Wrekin, stated he was among the first to “sound the alarm” regarding the decline in service levels, having met with senior management in January to highlight the impact on his constituents.
‘Little Progress’ in Shropshire
Despite a high-level meeting with the Postal Services Minister just a fortnight ago, Mr Pritchard warned that the situation on the ground in Shropshire remains unacceptable.
“I am glad Parliament’s Business and Trade Select Committee is now investigating Royal Mail,” Mr Pritchard said today. “It has been two weeks since I met the Royal Mail and Postal Services Minister, but there has been little progress in improving local letter delivery in Shropshire.”
He added: “I was one of the first MPs to raise this matter in Parliament… Royal Mail need to improve their service without delay.”
National Scrutiny
The Committee Chair, Liam Byrne, decided to call in the bosses after the service was deemed so poor that formal answers were required. The move follows the takeover of Royal Mail by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group last year, which included a legal undertaking to maintain the Universal Service Obligation (USO) – the bedrock of the UK’s postal system.
Impact on Local Business
The delivery failures are not only affecting residents but are also squeezing the profit margins of local firms. Small businesses have reported being forced to upgrade to more expensive first-class services simply to ensure items arrive within a two-week window – a cost many are having to absorb to remain competitive against giants like Amazon.
Royal Mail Response
A spokesperson for Royal Mail said that attending the committee would provide an opportunity to discuss the urgent need to transform the company and ensure it remains financially sustainable for the long term.
The firm has previously blamed poor weather and staff sickness for “short-term disruption,” but the regulator Ofcom – which has already fined the company £37 million for poor performance – warned that further penalties are likely if “meaningful progress” is not seen immediately.
For Shropshire residents, the parliamentary inquiry represents a glimmer of hope that issues surrounding delayed post might finally be addressed.
