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The list of 28 severely affected areas, published on Monday, included 13 in or near London, as well as Leeds in West Yorkshire, Chelmsford in Essex, Widnes in Cheshire and Margate in Kent. But local leaders in other parts of the country have told The Telegraph their areas are suffering just as much.
Neil Baker, a Conservative councillor in Canterbury, said: “I’m very surprised that Canterbury is not on this list. In my area, we have had three deliveries since the first week of December. While Christmas cards could have brightened up a dark time for people, it is turning into something more serious with questions over hospital appointments and vaccine invitations.”
In Stevenage, Sharon Taylor OBE, the leader of the borough council, said: “There is no doubt that there are areas of Stevenage that have been severely affected by this. I know people who haven’t had post since Christmas, and if it does come they get days and days bundled together.
“What people are really worried about is letters about vaccinations. Older residents are really concerned that they will miss these letters.”
Complaints were also made about deliveries in Colchester, Chelmsford, Bromley, Sheffield, Farnham, Basildon, Southampton, Chichester, Fife, Hastings and at least eight more London boroughs.
In an attempt to quell fears, The Telegraph has been told by well placed sources that Royal Mail staff have been instructed to look out for the vaccine invitations, which are identified by an NHS logo, so they can be prioritised during the sorting process.
