Tag: UK

The chairman of Royal Mail today launched a fresh attack on the industry’s regulator, warning that its painfully slow regime was threatening the future of the postal service.

Allan Leighton said the business was running out of time to put in place a recovery plan, blaming constraints from Postcomm.

Mr Leighton said it was now nine months since the Royal Mail submitted plans to raise stamp prices by 1p as part of its plan to tackle losses which are still running at more than #1 million a day.

Postcomm’s liberalisation plans are expected to face fierce criticism from all parties appearing today at a trade and industry select committee hearing on Royal Mail.

Allan Leighton, the company’s chairman, will condemn the regulator’s “misguided interventionism” and can expect support from unions concerned by the rate of liberalisation. Mr Leighton was stepping up opposition to Postcomm’s price control proposals as the consultation period drew to an end yesterday, saying they undermined the universal service and the operator’s recovery plans. “Now’s the crucial time, nine months into our three-year renewal plan. Without any certainty about the regulator’s stance, everyone is asking this company too much.”