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REDDITCH MP Chris Bloore and Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas have joined forces to apply for a Backbench Business debate in the House of Commons on the growing crisis in postal services.
The application, already backed by 60 MPs from across political parties, reflects widespread concern about delays, missed deliveries and poor service standards affecting communities nationwide.
Rural and semi-rural areas, such as Redditch, Bromsgrove and the surrounding villages, particularly hard hit.
The move follows sustained campaigning by Mr Bloore after residents in Inkberrow and nearby villages reported going days and, in some cases, weeks without receiving post.
Constituents have raised serious concerns about NHS appointment letters arriving late or after scheduled dates, vital documents have gone missing and bills have been delivered after payment deadlines.
Mr Bloore has taken a series of steps locally and nationally, including meetings with Royal Mail, engagement with the Communication Workers Union (CWU), a formal letter to postal regulator Ofcom and support for a local petition demanding urgent improvements to services in Inkberrow.
He said he has received more than 200 complaints from Inkberrow residents alone, despite repeated assurances from Royal Mail that services would improve.
“Week after week, residents are telling me the same thing – no post for days or weeks at a time.
“That means missed NHS appointments, late hospital letters and vital paperwork arriving too late to be useful.
“This is not a minor inconvenience – it is a serious failure of a basic public service people depend on.
“This is no longer just a local problem. MPs from across the country are hearing identical stories from their constituents.
“That is why we are pushing for a full Commons debate to hold Royal Mail and the regulator to account and demand urgent action.”
The proposed Backbench Business debate would allow MPs to press ministers, Royal Mail and Ofcom on how they intend to restore reliable postal services and enforce Royal Mail’s universal service obligations.
Issues expected to be raised include the impact on vulnerable residents, enforcement action by Ofcom and how a dependable service can be guaranteed for villages and harder-to-serve communities.
Droitwich MP Nigel Huddleston also confirmed he had been contacted by his constituents about postal delays.
“I’m very concerned about postal failures in my constituency.
“As a member of the Shadow Cabinet I am unable to participate in the debate, however I have raised this with Royal Mail directly and have written to the Minister to express concerns.
“My constituents deserve better.”
