Business News Wales

Some Saturday post deliveries may be scrapped, regulator says

September 5, 2024

Regulator Considers Scrapping Some Saturday Post Deliveries

Ofcom is evaluating the possibility of eliminating Saturday deliveries for second class post while maintaining the first-class service unchanged in its review of UK postal service reforms. The industry watchdog is focusing on allowing Royal Mail to discontinue Saturday deliveries for second class post and opt for alternative weekdays for delivery. Second class post would still be delivered in three working days, while first-class post would remain a six-day-a-week service. No final decision has been made, with a consultation planned for early 2025 and a decision expected in the summer of the same year. Lindsey Fussell, Ofcom’s group director for networks and communications, emphasized the importance of meeting postal users’ needs and ensuring the best outcomes for consumers.

  • Ofcom is considering eliminating Saturday deliveries for second class post.
  • First-class post will continue to be delivered six days a week.
  • No final decision has been made yet.
  • A consultation is planned for early 2025.
  • A decision is expected in the summer of 2025.

Royal Mail’s owner, International Distribution Services (IDS), which recently underwent a £3.57 billion acquisition by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, expressed the urgency for change in the UK’s postal service. The proposal submitted by Royal Mail in April suggested discontinuing Saturday deliveries for second class post and reducing service to alternate weekdays. Martin Seidenberg, group chief executive of IDS, highlighted the necessity of protecting customers’ interests amid financial challenges within the universal service. He emphasized that regulatory changes are needed for the sustainability of the service.

Conclusion

The potential revision in the postal service aims to align with the evolving needs of consumers while addressing the financial stability concerns faced by Royal Mail. By exploring options to optimize the universal service, Ofcom seeks to ensure efficiency, improve service levels, and uphold consumer interests. The proposed changes are a response to the shifting landscape of postal services and the imperative to adapt to meet the demands of modern consumers.