Royal Mail issues urgent warning for Londoners to send post TODAY to arrive by Christmas

People hoping to get their letters to loved ones in time for Christmas must post them today if they are certain types of postage, the Royal Mail has warned. On the company’s website, it has set a number of deadlines on when packages and letters need to be posted in order to reach the recipient in time for December 25.

The deadline for Second Class stamp users has already passed and now is the final day for First Class post, First Class signed for, Royal Mail 24 and Royal Mail Tracked 48 to be sent if the sender wants it to arrive on Christmas. “Allow plenty of time for posting. Please post items and gifts for Christmas early, particularly for International deliveries,” it warned.

Brits still have until Wednesday, December 21 for Special Delivery Guaranteed. Royal Mail Tracked 24 and Royal Mail Tracked 48 are not available to purchase at Post Office branches, the Royal Mail has added in its warning. Laura Joseph, Post Office customer experience director said: “Royal Mail has brought forward the last recommended posting dates for many of its services.

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“As a result, Friday December 16 is now likely to be even busier in Post Office branches as customers race to ensure cards and gifts arrive for Christmas Day. As soon as you’ve got your parcels ready to go get them in the post – many Post Office branches are open long hours, and some are open seven days a week so pop into your local branch and get your gifts sent in time for Christmas.”

It comes amid a postal strike as workers walk out in a row over jobs. A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “The CWU is striking at our busiest time, deliberately holding Christmas to ransom for our customers, businesses and families across the country. We are doing everything we can to deliver Christmas for our customers, and would like to thank the increasing number of posties returning to work each strike day, temporary workers and managers from across the business who are helping to keep the mail moving.

“However, this task becomes more challenging as Christmas nears. Three weeks ago, we made a best and final pay offer worth up to 9% over 18 months. Instead of working with us to agree on changes required to fund that offer and get pay into our posties’ pockets, the CWU has announced plans to ballot in the New Year for further strike action.

“Their misguided belief that further industrial action, in a business already losing more than £1 million a day, will result in an improved pay offer is misleading its members and risking their long-term job security.”

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