Royal Mail given go-ahead to scrap second-class post on Saturdays

Tom EspinerBusiness reporterGetty ImagesRoyal Mail can ship second-class letters on each different weekday and never on Saturdays to assist lower prices, the business regulator has stated. Ofcom stated a reform to the Common Service Obligation (USO) was wanted as persons are sending fewer letters annually, so stamp costs hold rising as the price of delivering letters goes up. The present one-price-goes-anywhere USO means Royal Mail has to ship submit six days every week, from Monday to Saturday, and parcels on 5 from Monday to Friday.Ofcom stated Royal Mail ought to proceed to ship first-class letters six days every week however second class might be restricted to alternate weekdays.”These adjustments are in one of the best pursuits of customers and companies, as pressing reform of the postal service is important to present it one of the best likelihood of survival,” stated Natalie Black, Ofcom’s group director for networks and communications.Nevertheless, simply altering Royal Mail’s obligations is not going to enhance the service, she stated.”The corporate now has to play its half and implement this successfully.” The regulator can also be making adjustments to Royal Mail’s supply targets.The corporate should ship 90% of first-class mail next-day, down from the present goal of 93%, whereas 95% of second-class mail should be delivered inside three days, a lower from the present 98.5%.Nevertheless, there might be a brand new goal of 99% of mail being delivered not more than two days late to incentivise Royal Mail to chop down on lengthy delays.