Royal Mail to slash postal services across UK - check if your local is affected

[qwerty2]

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/r ... r-BB1rjRcJ

Royal Mail is to cut postal services in towns and cities across the UK in a huge shake up.

Second class deliveries on Saturdays are being axed in Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Darlington, Hull, London, Nottingham, Salisbury and Winchester under Royal Mail's plan. Also affected are Antrim, Stockton-on-Tees, Hexham and Scunthorpe.

A six-month trial will also see about one million households get second class post on every other working day, prompting concern some places won't see current service levels return.

News of the changes, first reported by the Mail on Sunday, came ahead of Ofcom confirming whether it will grant permission to axe second class post on Saturdays.

The regulator has said previously that axing Saturday deliveries of second class post mean Royal Mail could improve its overall reliability, make savings and redeploy resources towards parcels.

Ofcom is due to consult further on possible changes to the Universal Service Agreement early this year with a decision on reforms to Royal Mail expected in the summer. Any changes could come into force nationally in 2026.

Dennis Reed, director of the Silver Voices society for senior citizens, claimed Royal Mail bosses are so keen to cut the standard of Britain's postal service that they are willing to jump the gun with the "so-called trial" before Ofcom approval.

He told the Mail: "This trial will be seen as the thin end of the wedge. The Government seems content for our former world class postal service to be run down."

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "Working with our unions, CWU and Unite CMA, we plan to pilot a new delivery model in 37 of our c.1,200 delivery offices in the new year. The first pilot is due to start in February 2025 with a staggered roll out over the following months.

"The pilots are designed to ensure everything runs smoothly and we can deliver a better customer experience if we deploy any Universal Service changes.

"We will only look to implement our new operating model if Ofcom's new regulations come into force. Until then, the current regulatory framework remains in place and any proposals are subject to change."

An Ofcom spokesperson said: "We're speaking to postal users to understand how the universal service could evolve while continuing to meet their needs.

"We'll consult publicly on proposals early this year, and we understand Royal Mail plans to carry out pilots in light of any proposals we make."

Under current arrangements, Royal Mail has to deliver six days a week across the country, charging £1.65 for a first class stamp and 85p for second class.

Royal Mail has said previously that if its proposed changes get the green light then it would result in less than 1,000 voluntary redundancies.

Last year saw Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky swoop in with an audacious bid to buy Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services.

The sale, which has been approved by the Labour Government, sees the postal service fall into foreign hands for the first time in its more than 500 year history.

[Rommagic]

Does that mean no 2nd class letters on Saturdays? If nationwide save them £100m a year can't see most of us getting more then 2 off a month thou?.

[funkflex55]

That article is referencing the current trial of alternating full mail deliveries and tracked, first class and specials.

However based on current performance that would be an improvement on once a week or not at all as there's no overtime.