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The Royal Mail is under pressure to offer free postage to and from care homes in the UK this Christmas.
The calls from the Lib Dems come in a bid to ensure that no vulnerable person goes without love this Christmas.
The move comes after An Post—Ireland’s postal service—announced it will carry letters, large envelopes, packets and parcels up to 2Kg addressed to residents in nursing homes, residential accommodation in the mental health or disability sectors and convalescent homes for free until 31st January 2021.
Senior Liberal Democrat spokesperson John Leech has written to Royal Mail asking that they follow An Post’s “wonderful gesture to support families and loved ones living in care homes, who have been so terribly impacted by the Covid19 pandemic.”
Royal Mail handled more than 164 million parcels in December 2018, but the postal service looks set for a record-breaking year.
It has already handled as many letters and parcels this year so far as it did in the whole of 2019—and the peak Christmas period for 2020 has not even begun yet.
Royal Mail reported revenues of £10.8 billion with an adjusted operating profit of £325 million, for the year to March 2020.
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson John Leech said: “Times have never been tougher and this Christmas will be one of the toughest times yet. It would be heartbreaking if family members or friends in care homes went without love this Christmas.
“So, we’ve got to come together like never before. That means reaching out and staying connected with the most vulnerable and isolated members of our community.
“That’s why I’ve written to Royal Mail and asked them to follow An Post’s lead and offer free postage to and from care homes in the UK to make sure no one goes without love this Christmas.”
