SECOND-class letters could be delivered ‘alternate weekdays’ – and not on Saturdays – if new proposals for Royal Mail are approved.
Regulator Ofcom has outlined plans to change the postal service’s Universal Service Obligation (USO), which details rules over postal deliveries in the UK.
The watchdog said it was proposing changes to the delivery frequency of second-class letters as customers “no longer need two six-day-per-week services” and to “support the financial sustainability of the service”.
Currently, the USO requires Royal Mail to deliver both first- and second-class letters six days a week, from Monday to Saturday.
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“We propose to remove the requirement on Royal Mail to deliver second-class letters six days per week and allow it to deliver such letters on alternate weekdays (Monday to Friday),” Ofcom said.
“This change reflects the fact that postal users no longer need two six-day-per-week services to meet their needs and is intended to support the financial sustainability of the service.
“We will maintain the requirements for delivery of first class letters, which will continue to be delivered next day, six days per week.”
The USO for parcels would remain unchanged, it went on.
Under the proposals, Ofcom said it would require 99.5% of first-class mail to be delivered within three days of posting, while 99.5% of second class mail would have to be delivered within five days of posting.
A target for first-class post to be delivered the day after postage would drop from 93% to 90% under the plans, while the second class target for delivery within three days would fall from 98.5% to 95%.
“The proposed targets would remain high by international standards,” Ofcom added.
People can respond to the proposals as part of a consultation running until 5pm on April 10.
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