Tag: Postwatch

Postwatch out to prove a point

Posted by | May 16, 2006 | |

If You live more than five kilometres from a post office then Postwatch Scotland wants to hear from you.

Director Tricia Dow said: “The questionmark that lies over the long-term future of rural post offices has been well reported.

“We want to gather information ahead of the promised Government consultation on what the future could be.

“The question of distance is a key one in Scotland.

“Across the whole of the UK, Post Office Ltd tell us that, in 2005, only 0.3% of households lived more than 5km from a post office.

“We doubt that is the case in many parts of Scotland. Now we need to prove it.

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UK Government 'could save Pounds 31m on post bill'

Posted by | Mar 24, 2006 | |

The public sector would save Pounds 31 million a year if it dropped Royal Mail in favour of rivals, sent some letters second class and used the internet more, the Government’s spending watchdog said yesterday. The finding by the National Audit Office (NAO), which examined how key departments handled their post, is a blow to Royal Mail. The postal group, which handles most public sector mail, is already losing key contracts as full competition takes its toll. The report also highlights the large quantities of mail sent by departments to incorrect addresses or people. The NAO found that the average cost of mail in the public sector is 28p an item, compared with 22p in the financial services industry.
The watchdog said that departments should also send more letters second class, use the internet more and manage their systems better.

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UK Royal Mail accused over price controls

Posted by | Mar 7, 2006 | |

Royal Mail has been accused by Potwatch of “gamesmanship” by threatening to reject proposed postal price controls if the government refuses its application for Pounds 2bn of investment. Postwatch, the consumer body, said it was “ridiculous that customers, particularly large business customers, were not told months ago what the pricing structure from April will be”. The uncertainty stems from complex negotiations between Royal Mail and both its regulator, Postcomm, and its sole shareholder, the government. Yesterday marked the deadline for comments on Postcomm’s proposed price controls to 2010, which will come into effect next month unless Royal Mail forces a referral to the Competition Commission. Royal Mail said it was “not in a position to say yes or no to the price control . . . because we have not had the final proposals from Postcomm”. Postwatch accused Royal Mail of threatening to reject the price control “beyond the eleventh hour” and said such “gamesmanship” was unfair to customers.

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Postwatch urges Postcomm to rethink Presstream proposal

Posted by | Feb 21, 2006 | |

Postwatch has written to all Members of Parliament, to encourage them to support the Early Day Motion number 1632, which urges the regulator Postcomm to rethink its proposal to remove the Presstream product from the Royal Mail price control. This action supports the Periodical Publishers Association call for the regulator to change its position and protect the magazine industry – and customers – from the potential of exposure to higher prices. A spokesman said
“We hope that the regulator will look again at its proposal. If it doesn’t, magazine publishers will be in the hands of an unregulated de facto monopoly service provider, with no notable competitive options available for years. Postwatch welcomes deregulation, but at the right time and for the right products. The regulator has got it wrong on both counts.”

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