Royal Mail Group yesterday accused Postcomm of giving an unfair advantage to its foreign competitors after the postal regulator published the terms and conditions for its new long-term licences. The standard permits, to be introduced from January in place of the 12-month interim permits, will allow rival operators to approach any company to deliver mail within the licensed area.
Read MoreParcel delivery group Business Post yesterday said it was frustrated at the lack of progress in opening up the Royal Mail to competition from the private sector.
It is one of the companies proposing to collect and sort bulk mail on behalf of business customers before handing it over to the Royal Mail’s postmen for delivery over “the final mile”. But the launch of the service has been delayed while negotiations continue on the charge the Royal Mail will make for access to its network. The terms of the contract are due to be published by industry regulator Postcomm next month.
Read MoreBirmingham-based Royal Mail rival, Business Post, is growing its operations at 15 per cent, even before January’s move to end the postal monopoly.
Chief executive Paul Carvell said he expects the company to double its annual turnover after it gets a full licence to help in the delivery of bulk business mail.
He said: ‘I still believe that our goal of three per cent market share, of a market worth pounds 5.3 billion, is possible.
Read MoreThe campaign to stop the Government’s planned closure of more than one third of urban post offices has taken a step forward.
John Barrett, campaign leader and Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, has met Trade and Industry Minister Stephen Timms to discuss plans to save the 3000 post offices under attack.
Mr Barrett’s petition, backed by 6000 constituents, focuses on the essential role urban post offices play for many vulnerable people.
Read MoreScotland will have at least three new players in postal delivery to compete with the embattled Royal Mail from next January, the industry regulator confirmed yesterday.
Postcomm said that it had begun consultation over the issue of seven-year standard UK licences to three companies Hays Commercial Services, TNT and TPG Post UK. Unlike Royal Mail, none of the trio will be regulated over prices.
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