Royal Mail bringing in unwelcome change to first-class stamps from April 7

Royal Mail has announced stamp prices are set to rise again next month.

A big first-class and second-class stamp change is coming from April 7 for UK households. The Royal Mail has announced stamp prices are set to rise again next month.

The Royal Mail will hike stamp costs in the fourth month of the year. Royal Mail said the price of a second-class stamp would go up by 4p to 91p and first-class stamps would increase by 10p to £1.80 from April 7.

It means the cost of a first-class stamp has now more than doubled – up 137 per cent – in the past six years after eight rises, while the cost of a second-class stamp has been hiked six times.

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Anne Pardoe, head of policy at Citizens Advice, said: “More than half-a-decade has gone by since the company met its delivery targets and people still face a gamble, with many uncertain if their important documents or letters like medical appointments will arrive on time.

“Things only risk getting worse when cuts to delivery days and reduced performance targets come into full effect. Against this backdrop, Ofcom simply cannot wave through these increases any longer.

“Higher prices must come with higher standards – increases should be tied to Royal Mail’s performance on the doorstep.”

Richard Travers, managing director of letters at Royal Mail, said: “We always consider price changes very carefully, balancing affordability with the rising cost of delivering mail.

“On average, UK adults now spend just £6.50 each year on stamps and there are 70% fewer letters sent than 20 years ago.

“In the meantime, the number of addresses we deliver to has increased by four million to 32 million addresses across the UK.”

In a recent update, Royal Mail said “short-term disruption to certain routes” was due to “adverse weather, including storms Goretti, Ingrid and Chandra in January, alongside higher than usual sick absence”.

“Where a delay affects a route, we work to resolve it as quickly as possible by putting in extra support and reviewing performance daily to restore deliveries as quickly as possible,” they said.