Royal Mail to shell out GBP60m for post strike

Royal Mail has pledged to pay nearly GBP60m in compensation to businesses as a result of the disruption to mail services caused by last year’s unofficial industrial action.

The company, which has already paid out more GBP50m, will return an extra GBP7m.

The move comes as the postal operator claims UK firms have escaped the latest round of price hikes, with the freezing of rates for bulk business mail services Mailsort 2 and 3. First-class stamps will rise by 2p to 30p in April.

But Postwatch chairman Peter Carr has poured scorn on the claims: “Once again, Royal Mail is increasing revenues by asking small businesses to pay more for stamps. These are the customers least likely to be offered a competitive alternative. Meanwhile, those most likely to be offered a competitive alternative will see price decreases.”

In September, Postwatch said the bulk mail compensation plan was “not honouring the spirit of the scheme”.

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