Royal Mail is set to implement two significant changes to the delivery of second-class post for all UK households starting in May. These adjustments are part of a £500 million investment aimed at improving delivery reliability amid ongoing delays.
The first change means that second-class post will be delivered every other weekday rather than daily. Additionally, deliveries of second-class post on Saturdays will be discontinued. Importantly, these revisions will not affect first-class post, which will continue to be delivered six days a week (Monday to Saturday), nor will they impact parcel deliveries, which remain operational up to seven days a week.
Dave Ward, General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), expressed cautious optimism about the plans but emphasized the need for effective implementation. He called for clarity on workforce resourcing, retention, and involvement in the change process to ensure manageable workloads and address ongoing issues. Ward criticized Royal Mail’s management approach, highlighting a tendency to prioritize financial targets over staffing and service quality, and questioned the company’s history of fulfilling its promises.
READ MORE: HMRC to Appeal London Tribunal Ruling That Would Lower VAT on Public EV Chargers
READ MORE: All State Pensioners Warned: “Untouchable” Triple Lock Could Be Scrapped by DWP
In addition to Royal Mail’s announcements, Ofcom has introduced a new enforceable delivery target, requiring that 99% of mail be delivered within two days past the expected date, reinforcing accountability for timely service.
Royal Mail CEO Alistair Cochrane described the forthcoming changes as a “step change” in service performance across the UK. He acknowledged that the current service levels have not met customer expectations but affirmed the company’s commitment to improvement.