MPs are being urged to scutinise proposed changes to Royal Mail services which could see millions of Britons wait longer for deliveries.
Ofcom has today confirmed a consultation on cutting Royal Mail delivery times, while simultaneously approving trials that will reduce service for over a million households starting next month.
The announcement has prompted immediate action from the UK’s Greeting Card Association (GCA), which launched a petition demanding greater parliamentary scrutiny of the proposed changes.
Small and medium-sized businesses joining the initiative span the country, from Afro TouchDesign in London to Love Kates in Newquay.
One member, David Falkner of Cardology, took dramatic action by transporting a post box from his Croydon design studio to parliament, documenting the journey in a video.
Representing over 500 industry members, the GCA ears these changes could permanently damage affordable postal services.
The association warns the proposed changes could undermine consumer trust and leave small businesses struggling to dispatch orders cost-effectively.
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MPs are being urged to examine proposals to reform Royal Mail services
GETTY / GCA
Under the pilot scheme, second-class delivery will be reduced to alternate weekdays, Monday to Friday. This means households will receive deliveries only two or three days each alternate week.
The changes come as Royal Mail has already implemented significant price increases, with first-class stamps rising from £1.35 to £1.65 last October. This 22 per cent increase marked the fifth price hike in less than three years.
Second-class stamps currently remain at 85p, protected by Ofcom’s inflation-linked price cap. The price gap between first and second-class stamps has now widened considerably, with first-class stamps costing nearly double their second-class counterparts.
This consultation period will run until April 10, with the GCA scheduled to participate in further discussions.
Amanda Fergusson, chief executive of the GCA, expressed strong concerns about the implementation of the pilots.
“While we welcome the clarity of the new consultative timetable and will engage proactively with Ofcom in the coming weeks, our members and their customers are dismayed that a reduction in delivery services for over a million consumers and small businesses is being railroaded ahead of the consultation,” she said.
She warned that the changes could “stifle economic growth leaving businesses and customers paying more for less.”
Fergusson called for MPs to intervene, stating: “It’s time for MPs to get involved and stop this further spiral of decline which could ultimately result in Royal Mail calling time on an affordable second-class stamp.”
She emphasised that customers and small businesses “do not want to be left with a premium, uncapped, unregulated first-class stamp beyond their financial reach.”
Royal Mail’s service performance has fallen short of regulatory standards, leading to a £10.5m fine from Ofcom in December.
The postal service’s delivery statistics for the 2023/24 financial year show significant underperformance.
Only 74.7 per cent of First Class mail was delivered on time during this period. Second Class mail fared better but still missed targets, with 92.7 per cent delivered on time.
The regulator noted that consumers are increasingly choosing Second Class over First Class post, primarily due to cost considerations.
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These performance issues come at a time when Royal Mail and Ofcom have indicated their proposals can be implemented without government intervention.
This approach would effectively bypass parliamentary scrutiny of the service changes.
Greeting cards now represent a crucial part of Royal Mail’s business, with Ofcom reporting that 42 per cent of postal users say cards are their only reason for using the service.
The physical card remains an affordable way to maintain personal connections, with the average card costing £1.89.
Including second-class postage at 85p, customers can send a greeting anywhere in the UK for less than £3.
The GCA emphasises that sending physical cards helps build and nurture relationships through tangible connections.
The industry, worth over £1.5billion to the UK economy, continues to rely heavily on affordable postal services.
