Royal Mail has received approval to implement a significant adjustment to its second-class postal service effective immediately. The postal regulator Ofcom has granted permission for Royal Mail to discontinue Saturday deliveries of second-class post. Additionally, Royal Mail will now only deliver second-class post on alternate weekdays, departing from the previous six-day delivery schedule.
This modification has been in a trial phase in select areas following its initial announcement in January this year, as confirmed by Royal Mail to The Mirror. Despite the reduced service frequency, Royal Mail maintains a commitment for second-class letters to reach recipients within three working days.
Ofcom estimated that the reduction in second-class deliveries could result in cost savings of £250 million to £425 million for Royal Mail. This adjustment is not only financially beneficial but also a response to the declining volume of letters being sent to UK households. Over the past two decades, the number of letters delivered has decreased from 20 billion to 6.6 billion.
Royal Mail has faced penalties exceeding £16 million in the last two years due to missing delivery targets and subpar performance. However, the delivery of first-class post will continue as usual, being available six days a week from Monday to Saturday.
Natalie Black, Ofcom’s Group Director for Networks and Communications, emphasized that these changes are aimed at benefiting consumers and businesses, with the objective of ensuring the postal service’s sustainability. She highlighted the importance of Royal Mail effectively implementing these alterations and communicating them clearly to customers.
In response to concerns about stamp price increases, Ofcom has initiated a review of affordability with plans to engage in public consultations next year. Martin Seidenberg, the group chief executive of Royal Mail’s parent company International Distribution Services, expressed that these changes support the delivery of a reliable, efficient, and financially viable universal postal service.
Royal Mail previously raised the prices of first-class and second-class stamps in April, citing fewer letters being sent as the reason for the price adjustments. This marked the sixth price increase in stamp rates over the past three years. Additionally, other Royal Mail services, including “Signed For” and “Tracked,” also experienced price hikes in April.
