UK Postwatch advises customers to use 2nd class stamps at Christmas

Postwatch, the consumer watchdog for postal services, has reviewed Royal Mail’s performance over the past two Christmases. We found that whilst 2nd class performance dipped slightly, 1st class performance declined dramatically, to the point that more than three in every ten letters posted 1st class failed to be delivered the following working day. Postwatch recommends customers use 2nd class stamps at Christmas.

The decline over Christmas means that next day delivery performance for 1st class posting fell to less than 70 per cent in each of the last two years, against an annual performance target of 92.5 per cent.

Because of the huge increase in mail volumes associated with Christmas it is unreasonable to expect Royal Mail to maintain usual service levels. However, it is important customers know what they are buying. At Christmas time a 1st class stamp does not mean a 1st class service.

Postwatch would like Royal Mail to publish its Christmas performance figures so customers can make an informed choice.

Peter Carr, Chairman of Postwatch, commenting on Royal Mail’s Christmas performance said: “The well-known cliché is true. Customers should post early for Christmas. Our review highlights that whilst the 1st class service falls to below 70 per cent delivered next day, more than nine out of ten 2nd class items are delivered on time in the weeks before Christmas. Customers should therefore not only post early but also use 2nd class stamps right up to the last recommended posting date, which is Saturday 18 December.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Ray Robinson, a member of the Postwatch Committee for Greater London, conducted the review. Ray worked for Royal Mail in several senior positions, including Operations Manager for London’s South West and West Central Post Code Areas. He left Royal Mail in 1999

2. Royal Mail’s performance over the Christmas period (first Monday in December to the first working day after the New Year bank holiday) is excluded from the Royal Mail’s performance targets. Poor Christmas performance does not therefore have an impact on Royal Mail’s performance against the service target in its licence.

3. Royal Mail estimates that they deliver around 2.1 billion items over Christmas. The daily workload increases from 82 million items to around 135 million.

4. November 2003 first class post performance was relatively low – 80.5% – in part because of industrial action.

5. 1st class stamps currently cost 28 pence and 2nd class stamps 21 pence from Post Offices.

MORE INFORMATION

Please call:

Andy Frewin on 020 7259 1223 or 07900 263 004 or

Robert Forsyth on 020 7259 1364 or 07900 263 014