MS swaps politics for postbags during Royal Mail hub visit

A member of the Senedd swapped politics for postbags during a visit to a Newport Royal Mail hub.

Natasha Asghar MS, who represents South Wales East, spent the morning at the Newport East Delivery Office, before getting a first-hand insight into the job of a postman by joining a postman out on his round in Somerton.

She was given a tour of the sorting processes and procedures by manager Jamie Collins who explained what happens before the vans are loaded up.

The pair also discussed the proposed reform of the Universal Postal Service, which aims to modernise and transform Royal Mail.

The proposed changes include delivering all non-First-Class letter deliveries every other weekday and aligning the speed of standard bulk business mail to Second Class.

Ofcom’s proposals would mean no changes to the one-price-goes-anywhere service to all parts of the UK, First Class letters delivered six days a week, the option of First Class and Second-Class letters, giving people the choice of price and speed, and parcels delivered up to seven days a week as currently.

Ms Asghar said: “With a staggering 33,000 items being dealt with every day, the delivery office’s team carry out stellar work and it was fantastic to be able to see them in action first-hand.

“Come rain or shine, our posties are out and about making sure our mail is seamlessly delivered through our letterboxes.

“Having joined one of Royal Mail’s posties on his morning round, I can safely say it’s not an easy gig and they all deserve a huge thank you for the work they do.”

The visit gave Ms Asghar a first-hand insight into the job, as she pounded the pavements with a postman.