Royal Mail May Scrap Saturday Second-Class Deliveries
Royal Mail could soon stop delivering second-class letters on Saturdays. Regulator Ofcom is mulling reforms that would limit second-class deliveries to alternate weekdays only. The delivery time would stay the same – up to three working days.
Consultations Underway with Decisions by Summer 2025
No final decision has been made yet. Ofcom plans a consultation in early 2025 and aims to announce its verdict by summer. The move is part of ongoing talks about reshaping the universal postal service to fit modern needs.
Letter Volumes Plummet, Parcels Boom – Costs Soar
- Royal Mail currently delivers letters six days a week, parcels five.
- Letter volumes have nosedived while parcel deliveries have surged.
- This shift has left Royal Mail facing heavy financial losses.
Owner Backs Cuts to Save £300 Million a Year
Royal Mail’s owner, International Distribution Services (IDS), taken over by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky for £3.57 billion, supports the shake-up. IDS boss Martin Seidenberg declared: “Change cannot come soon enough.” He insists the reforms are vital to safeguard Royal Mail’s future.
The proposed slash to second-class and bulk business mail deliveries could save up to £300 million annually. The plan may lead to under 1,000 voluntary redundancies as daily delivery routes are cut.
Ofcom’s Lindsey Fussell stressed that any changes won’t mean Royal Mail can slack off. The firm must still boost efficiency, invest in its network, and keep service standards high.
