Tag: Royal Mail

Consultation Starts On Changes To Post Office Network – Post Office Ltd announces plans for Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland

Posted by | Nov 20, 2007 | |

Post Office Ltd today opened a period of local public consultation on its Area Plan for Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland. The formal period of public consultation is six weeks but this has been extended by ten calendar days for this plan to allow for the Christmas and New Year breaks. In line with the criteria and factors set by the Government in its Response document, DTI, The Post Office Network, Government response to public consultation May 2007 the Area Plan proposes future provision of Post Office® services through a network of 318 branches across the area, resulting in the closure of 52 existing branches.

Under the proposals, more than 99.2pct of the area’s population will either see no change to their nearest branch, or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

In addition to the 311 branches which are proposed to remain in the area, Post Office Ltd is proposing to establish 7 outreach services, which would use innovative ways to continue to provide Post Office services- particularly in smaller communities – where the existing branch is proposed for closure.

Possible types of outreach service in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland could include a mobile service visiting small communities at set times, a hosted service operated within third party premises for restricted hours each week, or a partner service within the premises of a local partner (such as a pub landlord).

The detailed Area Plan proposal for Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland area is now available. Consultation is due to end on 10 January 2008.

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Missing Postwatch already?

Posted by | Nov 19, 2007 | |

Last week, the House of Lords published a Select Committee report on the UK economic regulators including Postcomm. In Chapter 5 of the report, there is a section entitled “How are consumer interests protected in the regulatory state?”

This looks at models of consumer representation and comparisons are made between the integrated model of the Ofcom Consumer Panel and the Financial Services Consumer Panel – where the consumer body sits in the regulator – and the alternative standalone model of Postwatch and Energywatch – where the consumer body sits outside the regulator.

The report concludes that:

– “Different consumer representation models operate in the regulatory state and all the regulators were vociferous in justifying their particular model. However, we believe that stand alone consumer representation bodies are more transparent and more effective.”

– “The new landscape for consumer representation has been created by the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 [Consumer Voice]. We are sceptical that the proposed new arrangements will lead to improvements in consumer representation but we recognise that it is too early to judge whether our scepticism is justified. The new arrangements will need careful monitoring and this is a role that might be taken up by a sessional Committee on regulators.”

This is a reference to the fact that the CEAR Act will combine both Postwatch and Energywatch with the National Consumer Council so that, from October 2008, there will not be a sector-specific consumer body for postal services.

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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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