Royal Mail to scrap second class post on Saturdays

Ofcom is allowing Royal Mail to scrap second class post on Saturdays and use a week day service from later this month.

From 28 July Ofcom has allowed Royal Mail to cut second class post on Saturdays, first class post will not be affected.

The watchdog said that service change is necessary to help the company “survive” as fewer letters and the cost is rising.

Natalie Black, Ofcom’s group director for networks and communications, said: “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.

“But changing Royal Mail’s obligations alone won’t guarantee a better service – the company now has to play its part and implement this effectively.

“We’ll be making sure Royal Mail is clear with its customers about what’s happening, and passes the benefits of these changes on to them.”

Martin Seidenberg, group chief executive of Royal Mail parent firm International Distribution Services (IDS), said, “It is good news for customers across the UK as it supports the delivery of a reliable, efficient and financially sustainable universal service.”

Tom MacInnes, director of policy at Citizens Advice, said: “Royal Mail has a woeful track record of failing to meet delivery targets, all the while ramping up postage costs.

“Today, Ofcom missed a major opportunity to bring about meaningful change.”

Liberal Democrats business spokeswoman Sarah Olney added: “This is a deeply worrying decision that could leave countless people who rely on these deliveries in the lurch.”

“Ofcom needs to think again and not let Royal Mail off the hook at the expense of people who expect the bare minimum of their post arriving on time,” she said.