Royal Mail

Following extensive engagement with stakeholders and consumer research, we are proposing a package of reforms to the Universal Service Obligation (USO) on Royal Mail and corresponding changes to Royal Mail’s obligation to provide access to its letter network.

Ofcom has proposed changes to the obligations on Royal Mail – while protecting features of the post that matter most to people – to put the universal service on a more sustainable footing.

Ofcom has today opened an investigation into Royal Mail’s compliance with its quality of service performance targets during 2023/24.

Ofcom has today fined Royal Mail £10,500,000 for failing to meet its First and Second Class delivery targets in the 2023/24 financial year.

Ofcom will assess whether certain changes to Second Class letter delivery – while maintaining a next-day First Class service six days a week – would meet postal users’ needs, ahead of consulting on proposals early next year.

In January 2024, we called for a national debate on the future of the UK’s postal services, highlighting that letter volumes had halved since 2011 and user needs had changed. We set out evidence we had gathered and options for reform. We invited input from all stakeholders and held events in each UK nation. This document summarises the responses we received and views expressed at our events. It then sets out our next steps.

Ofcom has today opened an investigation into Royal Mail’s failure to meet its delivery targets for 2023/24, following the company’s publication of its results this afternoon.

Economist shares views on Ofcom’s decision to fine Royal Mail in 2019

Ofcom calls for national debate on future of UK’s postal service as letter volumes halve since 2011.