Royal Mail plans to cut second-class letter deliveries to every other week day

03 April 2024 , 09:31

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Royal Mail also revealed it would stop second-class deliveries on Saturdays but maintain a six-day-a-week service for first-class mail (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)

Royal Mail has outlined proposals to reduce second-class letter deliveries to every other weekday, warning that this could result in up to 1,000 job losses if approved.

In a proposal to Ofcom, the regulator overseeing the future of the universal postal service, Royal Mail revealed it would stop second-class deliveries on Saturdays but maintain a six-day-a-week service for first-class mail. The plans also include extending the delivery time for bulk business mail to three days instead of two, which Royal Mail believes could save it up to £300 million annually.

If Ofcom approves these plans, daily delivery routes could be reduced by between 7,000 to 9,000 within two years, potentially leading to job cuts. However, Royal Mail anticipates "fewer than 1,000" voluntary redundancies and no compulsory redundancies as part of this proposed overhaul.

Royal Mail stated: "The proposal is designed to create a more financially stable future for the business and its shareholders, protecting tens of thousands of jobs and the best terms and conditions in the industry.

"It closely aligns to changes successfully made in comparable countries in Europe and around the world over recent years, with limited changes for customers."

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