Tag: Royal Mail

Postcomm welcomes Government review of postal market (UK)

Posted by | Dec 17, 2007 | |

Postcomm, the independent regulator for postal services, welcomes the Government’s review of the UK postal services market, which was announced earlier today.

Postcomm looks forward to cooperating fully with the review which comes at a time of profound change for the market. The regulator’s official submission to the review will be published in due course, but is likely to consider:

– how to put Royal Mail in the best position to increase its efficiency and its flexibility to meet the changing needs of customers and to sustain a universal service which must evolve in the light of social and technological changes;
– how to ensure that new operators are able to offer customers a choice of innovative new services, on a level playing field with Royal Mail (including the same treatment under the VAT regime); and
– the need to allow the regulatory regime to evolve with the changing market and for Postcomm to step back wherever the market is effective in ensuring value for money and choice for customers.

Postcomm chairman Nigel Stapleton said:

“We are pleased the Government’s review will cover all aspects of the market and of Royal Mail’s structure and performance. The forward looking approach can ensure the public continues to benefit from an evolving universal service it values and the market develops to provide innovative, efficient and reliable services that meet the needs of all users.”

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Postcomm rejects Royal Mail's retail zonal pricing application (UK)

Posted by | Dec 14, 2007 | |

Postcomm has rejected Royal Mail’s application to charge large mailers – using products which are not part of the universal service – different prices depending on where in the UK their mail is delivered (Royal Mail calls this zonal pricing).

The reasons for this decision are broadly that Postcomm is not satisfied that the change would be introduced in a manner which avoids unreasonable changes to users, and because it involves discrimination.

Postcomm has made this brief announcement today to provide clarity to users of postal services and will publish full reasons for its decision in January 2008.

This decision does not mean that Postcomm is ruling out any future moves towards retail zonal pricing for products outside the universal service should Royal Mail propose an alternative approach that avoids the problems presented by the current application. Postcomm is generally supportive of pricing that is more reflective of costs.

Royal Mail’s ‘zonal pricing’ application did not include services paid for by stamps or those bulk mail products that are included within the definition of the universal service which must, under the Postal Services Act, remain priced at a uniform rate regardless of delivery zone across the country. It is open to Royal Mail to submit a new application if it can be framed to meet the relevant regulatory tests.

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Seasonal rail services for Royal Mail

Posted by | Dec 13, 2007 | |

EWS Network, the logistics rail provider, has been contracted to provide two mail trains a day for the Royal Mail over the next fortnight.

The ten van train will operate from the Royal Mail’s Princess Royal Distribution Centre in London, and then call at Warrington and Shieldmuir, just outside Glasgow. The train will then work a return service from Shieldmuir via Warrington to Prnicess Royal.

Stuart Boner, EWS Network Managing Director, said: “Royal Mail is a multi-modal logistics user and at their busiest time of the year they require additional resources from all modes. EWS Network is delighted to provide a rail solution that can be integrated into their plan, and looks forward to transporting mail in the days leading up to Christmas.”

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Don’t Let Credit Card Charges Spoil Festive Celebrations Abroad

Posted by | Dec 13, 2007 | |

At least 2.4 million people are planning to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve abroad, according to research by Post Office. But those heading overseas are being warned not to end up with a financial hangover by getting caught out by hidden fees on their credit card.

The rise in cheap flights and the depressing British weather means that many people are planning to spend their Christmas holidays in another country. Just under a fifth of those heading abroad during the Christmas and New Year period (17 per cent) are planning to visit Spain, 6 per cent are planning to visit France and 5 per cent Italy

Around one in ten (8 per cent) plan to travel further afield to the US, with many likely to take advantage of the weak dollar. However, those planning to use their credit card abroad could be in for a big shock because of hidden charges.

The majority of credit cards charge a typical 2.75 per cent for each transaction made overseas. However, Post Office® credit card customers can use their card worldwide without incurring any commission charges.

The Post Office® is therefore urging consumers to check with their bank or credit card provider whether they will be paying a fee to shop overseas before they go.

Post Office® director of lending Gary Fitton said: “For many people, going abroad for Christmas is a great way to relax and not have to worry about cooking Christmas dinner. However, with 49 per cent of UK holidaymakers planning to use their credit card when shopping abroad many people could be returning from their Christmas break with a lot more than just ‘memories and mementoes’ due to hidden card charges.”

As well as no commission charges, the Post Office® credit card also has zero per cent on balance transfers for the first 10 months and zero per cent on purchases for the first three months. In addition it offers zero per cent again on new balance transfers made during the month of the cardholder’s first and second anniversary.

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