Second class letter deliveries may be cut to three days per week

Royal Mail may be obligated to only deliver second class letters three days per week in future, under plans being considered by the industry regulator.
Ofcom, which launched a consultation on the company’s universal service obligation (USO) earlier this year, said such a shift would protect priority deliveries, including first class mail, and help loss-making Royal Mail save cash.
The watchdog said “modifications” to second class deliveries were being explored under proposals that would seek to meet the needs of households and businesses following sharp declines in letter volumes as communication technology has evolved.
In addition to no second class mail deliveries on a Saturday, the plans could also see them made only on alternative weekdays – every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Ofcom said delivery targets for such items would remain at three working days despite the proposed reduction in deliveries.
First class post would continue to be a six-day-a-week service, the regulator stated, adding that decisions on its plans would be made by next summer following further consultation.