Stephen Agar (RM) said at the Postcomm Pricing Review meeting on 18th November 2004 that he thought it would be several years before access licence holders achieved a billion items per year, i.e. 5%.
When challenged, he also included in this 5% major customers dealing direct with Royal Mail via access.
Read MoreThe Royal Mail is making GBP1 million a day and delivering more than nine out of 10 first class letters on time, the organisation reported today. Chief executive Adam Crozier said the group was being “transformed” under a massive modernisation programme which had delivered profits of GBP217 million in the first half of the current financial year. Royal Mail chairman Allan Leighton, said: “No-one should doubt or under-estimate the scale of task we have tackled. We are delivering a massive modernisation programme, restoring profitability and driving up service to customers. Royal Mail is being transformed. “Recently, there have been few plaudits for postmen and women but I believe they can take pride in the progress achieved since Royal Mail’s three-year renewal plan was launched two and a half years ago. The focus on achieving consistent, high quality service – Royal Mail’s number one priority – is showing positive results.”
Read MorePostal workers are on course for a GBP800 bonus after the Royal Mail today reported a huge improvement in its finances and more reliable deliveries. The postal organisation is making GBP1 million a day – as opposed to losing the same amount two years ago – and is delivering more than nine out of 10 first class letters the following day. But chairman Allan Leighton admitted that “tough decisions” would still have to be taken to keep the group on course for a full-year profit of GBP400 million, which will trigger the payouts to staff next year.
Read MoreIn the first six months of 2004/05 Royal Mail have failed to achieve 14 of their 15 minimum performance targets. Compared with the same period last year services across the board have deteriorated. With only one service (Mailsort 3) showing an improvement. During the first six months of last year the all-important 1st class mail performance was above the 92.5 per cent target at 92.7 per cent delivered next day. This year the figure has slumped to 90.4 per cent. Over 200 million 1st class letters were not delivered next day. Peter Carr, Chairman of Postwatch commenting on the poor service levels said: “Customers are facing new price increases whilst service standards continue to fail the targets – yet Royal Mail profits are expected to double to GBP400 million plus.
Read MoreUnions have called on the government to give financial support to the UK’s high street post offices in a bid to avoid closures. Amicus and the Communication Workers’ Union, which represent post office managers and workers respectively, told a committee of MPs yesterday that the so-called Crown Offices deserved the same help given by the Department of Trade and Industry to rural post offices.
The 555 flagship post offices directly owned and managed by Post Office Ltd are thought to be losing about Pounds 70m a year, and parent Royal Mail is reviewing their future. Although the state-owned group has said closures would be limited by relocation and franchising deals with retailers, Royal Mail has admitted that only 320 of the branches are commercially viable.
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