The transfer is available in response to the variety of letters being delivered by Royal Mail falling from 20 billion 20 years in the past to only 6.6 billion a yr.
Ofcom mentioned the proposed modifications would “defend options of the submit that matter most to individuals” by making your entire operation extra sustainable.
Lindsey Fussell, Ofcom’s group director for networks and communications, mentioned concerning the announcement: “If we determine to suggest modifications to the common service subsequent yr, we need to ensure that we obtain one of the best end result for shoppers.
“So we’re now taking a look at whether or not we will get the common service again on an excellent keel in a method that meets individuals’s wants.
“However this gained’t be a free go for Royal Mail – underneath any situation, it should put money into its community, turn into extra environment friendly and enhance its service ranges.”
Nonetheless, the information is probably going to attract ire from those that depend on the postal service delivering second class day by day.
Tom MacInnes, director of coverage at Residents’ Recommendation, mentioned: “12 months after yr, Royal Mail’s failure to fulfill its targets with minimal penalties demonstrates that the present Common Service Obligation (USO) just isn’t successfully defending shoppers.
“Reforms to the USO come at a vital second for the way forward for our postal service and we’re happy that Ofcom has taken an curiosity within the points, like reliability and affordability, that matter most to shoppers.”
A session on the proposals runs till April 10, after which the transfer could possibly be introduced ahead.
Till then, right here is the scenario.
Royal Mail is likely to be altering its working procedures
Yui Mok / PA Wire
How lengthy ought to your submit take to reach in London?
Royal Mail employees sometimes work all week and ship and gather submit from Mondays to Saturdays within the majority of areas.
This presently applies to each first- and second-class letters.
Sunday supply just isn’t the norm and submit just isn’t delivered on financial institution holidays.
When will I get my submit from Royal Mail?
Royal Mail mentioned on its website that your submit must be delivered by 3pm if you happen to dwell in a city or metropolis, corresponding to London, or 4pm if you happen to dwell in a rural space.
How lengthy it takes depends upon what service was used to ship it.
First-class letters must be delivered the subsequent working day whereas they “intention to ship” second-class gadgets inside two to 3 working days.
They as a bunch are “obliged” to ship to addresses across the nation each day.
On their site they say: “We’re obliged to deliver to every UK address on every working day, but there may be some instances when we can’t deliver your mail. If you’re not home, we’ll try to deliver to your neighbour and leave a ‘Something for you’ card.”
Exceptions to being able to deliver include problems such as an address being deemed unsafe or inaccessible, and postmen being unable to gain entry – for example, a controlled entrance in flat blocks. Another exception would be a letter or package not having been packaged properly.
Can I complain about my delayed mail?
Yes, the Royal Mail has a special customer service team that deals with complaints.
If a letter or package is lost, damaged, delayed or arrived with some of the contents missing, you can complain and may even be entitled to compensation.
To make a claim, customers must send full details on the item including when it was posted, and what service was used – as well as proof of this – plus details of what the issue was.
