Independent survey concludes that business mail customers want greater choice, flexibility and reliability
An independent survey among the UK’s largest business mail customers,
commissioned by Business Post Group plc, signalled strong support for increased
choice of mail provider; greater flexibility and innovation; more reliable
delivery and collection services; and better value for money.
Speaking at the UK Mail Summit at London’s Olympia Conference Centre today, Bill
Cockburn, Deputy Chairman of Business Post Group plc and a former Chief
Executive of The Post Office, said:
“It’s vital for the whole postal industry and the customers it serves for mail
services to be greatly improved, revitalised and much more innovative.
“As the dominant provider, it is important to all of us for Royal Mail to be
restored urgently to lasting good health.
“Business Post Group plc, through its UK Mail subsidiary, wants to provide new
business mail services in partnership with Royal Mail, capitalising on the
extensive and high quality Business Post collection and linehaul network and
Royal Mail’s delivery network of 1,400 outlets employing over 80,000 postmen and
women.
“The new services will use the latest track and trace technology from the
customer to the Royal Mail local delivery office, providing peace of mind, chain
of custody and an assured 2-day delivery service.”
Mr Cockburn went on to say:
“Partnership with Royal Mail is the best way of safeguarding delivery jobs and
the universal delivery service. But it is essential to effective competition
that the terms of access to the Royal Mail delivery network are the same for
competitors as apply to Royal Mail itself, under the watchful eye of Postcomm,
the independent postal regulator.
“Another key issue is the need to align the Value Added Tax arrangements between
Royal Mail and its competitors. The current differences (whereby Royal Mail
does not charge VAT but its competitors are required to do so) cause major
distortions, would seriously undermine the effectiveness of Postcomm’s programme
of deregulation and should be urgently resolved by the Government.”
