Royal Mail is introducing a huge shakeup to deliveries today (July 28). Second-class letters will now be delivered on alternate weekdays and not on Saturdays.
Ofcom said that changes to the postal service are required, as the number of letters being sent continues to go down annually. With fewer letters to deliver, the cost per item rises, leading to consistent increases in stamp prices. Under the new system, second-class mail will be distributed on alternating schedules: either Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, or Tuesdays and Thursdays, following a two-week rotation. Natalie Black, Ofcom’s group director for networks and communications: “These changes are in the best interests of consumers and businesses, as urgent reform of the postal service is necessary to give it the best chance of survival.
“The company now has to play its part and implement this effectively.”
Royal Mail’s parent company, International Distribution Services (IDS), said Ofcom’s announcement was “good news for customers across the UK”, and that it would support a “reliable, efficient and financially sustainable Universal Service”.
Under the existing Universal Service Obligation (USO), which ensures a uniform postage price across the country, the postal service is required to deliver mail six days a week – Monday through Saturday.
This follows a series of recent changes at Royal Mail. In April, stamp prices increased – first-class went up by 5p to £1.70, and second-class rose by 2p to 87p.
Sending a large first-class letter (up to 100g) now costs £3.15, up from £2.60. Small parcels (up to 2kg) also saw price hikes: first-class rose to £4.99, while second-class increased to £3.90.
Ofcom has said customers care more about affordability and reliability than how fast their mail is delivered.
