Ofcom publishes Consultation on Universal Postal Service

Ofcom is proposing various possible changes to the current system, including the removal of the next day service; reduction in the quality of service for First Class; reduction in the number of collection and delivery days; earlier collection and later delivery times; and changes to delivery to the door requirements.

The NFSP is very concerned that these potential changes constitute a major reduction in the mail service. We believe a reduced mail service would lead to a further decrease in usage of mail; which in turn would have an adverse impact on post offices, which are heavily reliant on mail services for income and customer visits.

Any reduction in Post Office income from postal transactions, in addition to existing pressures facing subpostmasters, could result in considerable numbers of post offices becoming financially unviable.

A reduction in mail service and unplanned post office closures would have a severe impact on small businesses and some of the most vulnerable citizens, who are heavily reliant on the mail service and on local post offices.

The NFSP is calling on Ofcom to reconsider its proposals for changes to the universal postal service in light of these concerns.