ROYAL Mail is set to make a major change to second-class postal services as part of a new shake-up.
Under an overhaul being considered by the industry watchdog, the postal service could be allowed to ditch Saturday deliveries for second-class letters.
Regulator Ofcom, which has been consulting on the future of the universal postal service since January, said it is now focusing efforts on changes to the second class service while keeping first class deliveries six days a week.
Under the plans being considered, second class deliveries would not be made on Saturdays and would only be on alternate weekdays, but delivery times would remain unchanged at up to three working days.
Ofcom said no decision had been made and it continues to review the changes, with aims to publish a consultation in early 2025 and make a decision in the summer of next year.
Royal Mail has urged the Government and Ofcom to review its obligations, arguing that it is no longer workable or cost-effective, given the decline in addressed letter post.
In its submission to Ofcom in April, it proposed ditching Saturday deliveries for second-class post and cutting the service to every other weekday.
Lindsey Fussell, Ofcom’s group director for networks and communications, said: “If we decide to propose changes to the universal service next year, we want to make sure we achieve the best outcome for consumers.
“So we’re now looking at whether we can get the universal service back on an even keel in a way that meets people’s needs.
“But this won’t be a free pass for Royal Mail – under any scenario, it must invest in its network, become more efficient and improve its service levels.”
Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services (IDS), which agreed a £3.57 billion takeover by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky in May, said “change cannot come soon enough” to the UK’s postal service.
Martin Seidenberg, group chief executive of IDS, said: “Our proposal for the future of the universal service has been developed after speaking to thousands of people across the country, and is designed to protect what matters most for customers.
“It can be achieved through regulatory change with no need for new legislation.
“The universal service faces a very real and urgent financial sustainability challenge.”
The Royal Mail’s universal service obligation (USO) stipulates that it must deliver letters six days a week to all 32million addresses in the UK for the price of a stamp.
When Ofcom first said it was considering cutting postal delivery days, it sparked an outcry, with ministers quick to dismiss any suggestion that the government would sanction the scrapping of Saturday deliveries.
The six-day-a-week service is part of the universal service requirement stipulated by law under the Postal Services Act 2011.
However, the current plans being considered would not require a change in legislation, given that Royal Mail would still be delivering first-class post six days a week.
Royal Mail said its proposals earlier this year to reduce all non-first-class letter deliveries – including second class and bulk business mail – would save it up to £300million a year.
The group also said its plans would lead to “fewer than 1,000” voluntary redundancies with daily delivery routes cut by between 7,000-9,000 within two years.
ROYAL Mail operates round the clock throughout most of the year.
But there are a handful of days when no delivery and collection services are offered:
Stamp prices rose by 8% on April 2, 2024.
Right now, a first class stamp costs £1.35, which covers the delivery of letters up to 100g.
A second class stamp is priced at £0.85 and also covers letters up to 100g.
The first class service typically delivers the next working day, including Saturdays, while the second class service usually delivers within 2-3 working days, also including Saturdays.
For larger letters, the cost of a first class stamp is £2.20 for items up to 100g, and a second class stamp for the same weight is £1.55.
Parcel delivery prices vary based on size and weight, starting from £3.69 for small parcels.
Additional services include the “signed for” option, which requires a signature upon delivery and adds an extra level of security.
The cost for first class signed for is £3.05, and for second class Signed for, it is £2.55.
The “special delivery” service guarantees next-day delivery by 1pm with compensation cover, with prices starting from £7.95.
Royal Mail periodically reviews and adjusts stamp prices, so it is advisable to check the latest rates on their official website or at your local post office.
Stamps can be purchased online from the Royal Mail website, at post offices, supermarkets, and various retail outlets across the UK.
Historically, the cost of stamps has seen a steady increase over the years, reflecting inflation and operational costs. For example, in 2000, a First Class stamp was priced at 41p.
ROYAL Mail typically increases the price of stamps annually.
Normally, it gives customers advance warning of around a month before pushing up prices.
This year the hike was announced in March.
At the time, Royal Mail justified the price hike by pointing to a decline in the number of people sending letters.
The number of letters being posted has dropped 60% since 2005 and around 20% since the start of the pandemic.
It has also blamed rising inflation for the increase.
