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Royal Mail could reduce postal services across various UK towns and cities in a significant overhaul. The company’s plan includes discontinuing second class deliveries on Saturdays in Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Darlington, Hull, London, Nottingham, Salisbury, and Winchester.
Other areas affected include Antrim, Stockton-on-Tees, Hexham, and Scunthorpe. A six-month trial could also see approximately one million households receiving second class post every other working day, raising concerns that some locations may not regain their current service levels.
The Mail on Sunday initially reported these changes ahead of Ofcom’s decision on whether to permit the axe of second class post on Saturdays. The regulator has previously suggested that eliminating Saturday deliveries of second class post could enhance Royal Mail’s overall reliability, facilitate savings, and allow resources to be redirected towards parcel delivery.
Ofcom plans to conduct further consultations on potential changes to the Universal Service Agreement early this year, with a decision on reforms to Royal Mail expected in the summer. Any alterations could be implemented nationally in 2026, reports the Express.
Dennis Reed, director of the Silver Voices society for senior citizens, accused Royal Mail bosses of being eager to diminish the standard of Britain’s postal service, even going as far as initiating the “so-called trial” before Ofcom’s approval. Speaking to the Mail, he said: “This trial will be seen as the thin end of the wedge. The Government seems content for our former world class postal service to be run down.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson commented: “Working with our unions, CWU and Unite CMA, we plan to pilot a new delivery model in 37 of our c.1,200 delivery offices in the new year. The first pilot is due to start in February 2025 with a staggered roll out over the following months.”
They added: “The pilots are designed to ensure everything runs smoothly and we can deliver a better customer experience if we deploy any Universal Service changes.”
Furthermore, they stated: “We will only look to implement our new operating model if Ofcom’s new regulations come into force. Until then, the current regulatory framework remains in place and any proposals are subject to change.”
An Ofcom spokesperson remarked: “We’re speaking to postal users to understand how the universal service could evolve while continuing to meet their needs.”
They also mentioned: “We’ll consult publicly on proposals early this year, and we understand Royal Mail plans to carry out pilots in light of any proposals we make.”
Under the existing system, Royal Mail is obligated to provide six-day-a-week deliveries nationwide, with charges set at £1.65 for a first-class stamp and 85p for second class. Royal Mail has previously indicated that should its proposed alterations be approved, it would likely lead to fewer than 1,000 voluntary redundancies.
Last year, Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky launched a bold attempt to acquire Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services. The sale, which has received the green light from the Labour Government, marks the first time in its over 500-year history that the postal service will be under foreign ownership.
