The Greeting Card Association (GCA) has once again written to Ofcom, Postal Minister Kevin Hollinrake, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Jonathan Reynolds, and the Lib Dems with concerns over Royal Mail’s proposal to retain Saturday deliveries with no cap on prices
Royal Mail is proposing now to keep the six-day-a-week service, but with no mention on what this first class service could cost (first class prices are not subject to safeguard caps).
While it’s proposed that the one-price-goes-anywhere service to all parts of the UK would remain, non-first class letter deliveries, including 2nd class, would be delivered on alternate days – Monday, Wednesday, Friday one week and Tuesday, Thursday the next.
The GCA is also concerned that Royal Mail has suggested that these proposals mean that Ofcom will not have to go back to parliament for legislative change, saying: ”If Ofcom agree with Royal Mail the USO could be fundamentally weakened without the need for Parliamentary approval. In addition there is still no clear plan to return to service levels currently expected under the USO.’’
The GCA is encouraging the greetings industry community to contact their MP to raise their concerns.
To read the full story and download an MP letter template, head to www.gca.cards/latest-on-review-of-uk-postal-service