Royal Mail Stops Saturday Second-Class Mail to Speed Up Deliveries

Royal Mail will now only deliver second-class mail on alternate weekdays, stopping Saturday deliveries. This is part of a £500 million investment to improve overall delivery speed.
By Newsroom | Business, UK |

Royal Mail is injecting £500 million into its operations, a move aimed at rectifying persistent delays in deliveries. This significant investment follows a recently struck agreement with the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Unite, which ostensibly concludes a protracted dispute concerning changes to second-class postal services. The core of this overhaul involves a reduction in second-class mail delivery frequency, with the service now slated to operate only on alternate weekdays, effectively ceasing Saturday deliveries for this category.

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The commitment to a £500 million investment signifies a deliberate pivot by Royal Mail, acknowledging a decline in service standards and signalling an intent to enhance performance across the UK. This strategic shift, finalized shortly after the EP Group's £3.6 billion acquisition of Royal Mail's parent company, International Distribution Services, is positioned as a "step change" by chief executive Alistair Cochrane. The regulator, Ofcom, has underscored the necessity for Royal Mail to proceed with the implementation of its improvement plan.

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Delivery Schedule Alterations and Union Consultation

Beginning next month, Royal Mail is set to introduce a new national letter delivery model, pending a consultation phase with union members. While first-class post and parcels will retain their existing delivery schedules – first-class daily Monday to Saturday, and parcels up to seven days a week – second-class letters will now be delivered on a rotational weekday basis. This means some areas will receive second-class mail on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while others will get it on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in a recurring two-week cycle. The CWU is expected to put these changes to a member ballot.

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Regulatory Scrutiny and Historical Context

The restructuring occurs against a backdrop of regulatory pressure and past penalties. Ofcom has adjusted Royal Mail's delivery targets, lowering the expectation for next-day first-class delivery from 93% to 90%, and for second-class mail to arrive within three days from 98.5% to 95%. This comes a year after the company faced investigations and fines for underperformance, including only delivering just over three-quarters of first-class post on time last year. Consumer advocates have expressed reservations, with some suggesting Ofcom missed an opportunity for more substantial change.

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The reforms, detailed over a rolling 12- to 18-month period after initial pilot programs, are presented as a means to align service with contemporary mail usage patterns and ensure "financial sustainability." This move represents a recalibration of the 'Universal Service obligation', with a future review into the affordability of postal services also announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Royal Mail stopping Saturday second-class mail deliveries?
Royal Mail is stopping Saturday second-class mail deliveries as part of a £500 million plan to speed up overall delivery times across the UK. This change is due to new agreements with unions and aims to make the service more efficient.
Q: When will the new Royal Mail delivery schedule start?
The new delivery schedule, which stops Saturday second-class mail, will begin next month. This change will be rolled out nationally after a consultation period with union members.
Q: How will second-class mail be delivered after the changes?
Second-class mail will now be delivered on alternate weekdays. Some areas will receive it on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while others will get it on Tuesdays and Thursdays, on a two-week cycle.
Q: Will first-class mail and parcels still be delivered on Saturdays?
Yes, first-class post and parcels will continue to be delivered on their current schedules. First-class mail is delivered daily Monday to Saturday, and parcels can be delivered up to seven days a week.
Q: What does Ofcom say about these Royal Mail changes?
Ofcom, the regulator, has lowered Royal Mail's delivery targets. The expectation for next-day first-class delivery is now 90% (down from 93%), and for second-class mail to arrive within three days is 95% (down from 98.5%).