Tag: Royal Mail

Spring Global Mail welcomes decision to liberate international mail market in Canada

Posted by | Nov 19, 2007 | |

Spring Global Mail welcomes proposed changes by the Canadian Federal Government, which will lead to greater competition and enhanced service in the provision of international mail services for Canada. This follows the Canadian government’s recent decision to introduce legislation that will provide an exception to the Canada Post Corporation Act, whereby letters being mailed to destinations outside of Canada will be explicitly removed from Canada Post’s exclusive privilege. Under the new legislation, Spring Global Mail will be able to continue providing cost-effective, valued added services, meeting the international mailing needs of its Canadian customers.

Commenting on the decision as a matter of fairness, competition and common sense, Lou Laforet, vice president Europe and Americas at Spring Global Mail said: “Spring is extremely pleased that the government has acted in favour of the international mailing industry. We are extremely grateful to all our customers for their loyalty to Spring and their patience during this period of uncertainty. We finally have the certainty that Spring and its customers have been waiting for.”

In reaction to the Government’s new, pending legislation, Canada Post has advised Spring Global Mail that it will not continue to pursue legal proceedings against the company, relating to the its international mail activities in the Canadian market, pending the necessary formal vote in Parliament necessary to complete the legislative process.

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Royal Mail accused of post office closures

Posted by | Nov 18, 2007 | |

Royal Mail is planning to create a network of part-time post offices across rural Scotland, leading campaigners to suspect it is plotting a new wave of closures by stealth.

The company, which has already announced swingeing cuts in its counter business, has signalled 500 UK post offices could be replaced by part-time or even mobile “outreach” services.

The reforms could see dozens of post offices downgraded in some of Scotland’s most remote and vulnerable communities.

This would be in addition to 44 branches in Greater Glasgow, Central Scotland and Argyll and Bute, which were earmarked for closure in the first Area Plan Proposals published for Scotland. Three rural villages in the Stirling area – Thornhill, Gargunnock and Buchlyvie – have already been warned of proposals to close their branches and offer alternative facilities during restricted hours.

A consultation period on the changes to the three branches is due to end next month. However, five other Area Plan Proposals have still to be published for Scotland.

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Post Office (UK) cuts mortgage rate

Posted by | Nov 18, 2007 | |

The Post Office announced it has cut its three year fixed rate mortgage to 5.64 per cent – making it the best deal of its kind currently available*.

The mortgage carries a fixed arrangement fee of just GBP 399 and can be taken out on up to 95 per cent of a home’s value, giving Post Office customers a market leading deal. In support of the product’s transparency and great value it has been awarded a rare 5* rating from Moneyfacts.

Three year fixed buy-to-let and self-certification mortgages are also currently available at trial branches.

The mortgage trial, launched in September 2007, follows a succession of well-received financial product launches by the Post Office which is now the fastest growing financial services provider in the UK. It has already attracted more than one million customers with its easy to understand and good value products.

A formal evaluation will take place at the end of the mortgage trial, which will inform how the Post Office proceeds with its offering.

Post Office Mortgages are provided in conjunction with Bristol and West, the Bank of Ireland’s lending arm. As a responsible lender, the Post Office applies strict lending criteria and enforces appropriate checks before an offer is made.

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Post Office (UK) named 2007 favourite for foreign exchange and travel insurance

Posted by | Nov 18, 2007 | |

The Post Office has been named Britain’s Favourite Foreign Exchange Company at this year’s British Travel Awards after securing a quarter of all votes in this category.

The Post Office was also voted Favourite Travel Insurance Company for the second year running.

Voted for by over 100,000 consumers and industry professionals, the British Travel Awards are the largest of its kind in the UK.

The Post Office is the largest bureau de change provider in the UK and customers can buy euros over the counter at over 7,000 “on demand” branches plus a selection of other currencies at 2,400 branches. All 14,000 Post Offices offer a next-day currency collection service. The Post Office is the UK’s largest independent provider of travel insurance.

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Business Post strikes new blow to Royal Mail with demand for split

Posted by | Nov 15, 2007 | |

One of Royal Mail’s rivals is to petition the Government to break up the state-owned postal group, in an escalation of pressure for change from its competitors.

Business Post made the call as sales at its mail division, which competes with Royal Mail, rose 59 per cent. The company argues that last month’s Royal Mail strikes have made more people aware that there is a competitive postal market.

Guy Buswell, Business Post’s chief executive, is to make a formal request to the Department for Business for Royal Mail’s network to be separated from its sales operation in January. By then it intends to produce a detailed paper with outside consultants.

Mr Buswell said: “The Government must be wondering what to do with Royal Mail. If the network were separated from sales, it would end the questions of what is Royal Mail’s future. We want to help start the debate.”

The call for change will come as the term of Allan Leighton as chairman draws to a close. The Government could use the change to make substantial changes. Rivals want the business to be split so that there is no conflict of interest between Royal Mail’s sales operation – their competitor – and its network, which they have to use for the final mile of the delivery of post.

The postal regulator is considering the implications but has no powers to order a split. Royal Mail may offer to present separate sets of accounts, but that is unlikely to satisfy its rivals.

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