Citizens Advice on Christmas chaos: 16 million people suffered postal delays
Over the Christmas period Royal Mail issued 92 warnings across the UK identifying postcodes facing delayed or disrupted services including addresses in Aberdeenshire, Airdrie, Dundee, Erskine, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Johnstone, Paisley and Renfrew.
Consumer Scotland has responded to new UK-wide statistics from Citizens Advice on postal delays over the Christmas period.
The figures from Citizens Advice show across the UK 16 million people (29% of UK adults) suffered postal delays – up 50% since 2024. Some 5.7 million people across the UK missed vital letters about health appointments, fines and benefit decisions.
Grace Remmington, Head of Post at Consumer Scotland, said: “It is unacceptable that, during the busy festive period, consumers in Scotland faced delays to parcels at such an important time for families and businesses, including missed essential health and financial post.
“Consumers deserve a reliable and timely postal service throughout the year – including at Christmas when gifts, greetings and vital appointments depend on the system working well.
“We urge Royal Mail to take immediate action to address the issues experienced this year and ensure they are resolved for next year.
“We also want the regulator Ofcom to take action to improve service quality so consumers can have confidence the same issues will not be repeated next Christmas.”
