Postcomm welcomes Government review of the postal services market (UK)
Postcomm welcomed the emerging views of the independent review panel on the UK postal services market.
Postcomm chairman, Nigel Stapleton said: “We will be considering the emerging views of the panel and will use them to inform our second submission.”
Postcomm’s first submission highlighted the positive impact for customers since the addressed letters market was opened fully to competition in January 2006. Since then:
– larger customers have enjoyed lower prices and increased innovation;
– residential mail users have experienced record levels of service quality from Royal Mail; and
– smaller businesses and public sector customers are now beginning to reap the benefits of choice.
Postcomm believes the future health of Royal Mail, the universal service, and the addressed letters market are inextricably linked. Decisions about fundamental reform must be taken swiftly if Royal Mail is to lead a healthier mail market and provide a strong universal service.
Postcomm welcomed the emerging views of the independent review panel on the UK postal services market.
Postcomm chairman, Nigel Stapleton said: “We will be considering the emerging views of the panel and will use them to inform our second submission.”
Postcomm’s first submission highlighted the positive impact for customers since the addressed letters market was opened fully to competition in January 2006. Since then:
– larger customers have enjoyed lower prices and increased innovation;
– residential mail users have experienced record levels of service quality from Royal Mail; and
– smaller businesses and public sector customers are now beginning to reap the benefits of choice.
Postcomm believes the future health of Royal Mail, the universal service, and the addressed letters market are inextricably linked. Decisions about fundamental reform must be taken swiftly if Royal Mail is to lead a healthier mail market and provide a strong universal service.
Notes for editors
The Government announced a review of the postal services sector on 17 December 2007.
The review’s terms of reference are:
– to assess the impacts to date of liberalisation of the UK postal services market, including on the Royal Mail, alternative carriers and consumers;
– to explore trends in future market development and the likely impact of these on Royal Mail, alternative carriers and consumers; and
– to consider how to maintain the universal service obligation in the light of trends and market developments identified.
Postcomm’s first submission, which was released on the 27 March, addressed the first two terms of reference as requested by the review panel.
On 6 May 2008, the report: The challenges and opportunities facing UK postal services: an initial response to evidence (external link) was released by the review panel. Further information on the submission process are available on the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform’s website.
