Tag: UK

Royal Mail is entering a crucial phase in its 345-year history. The next few months will see its regulator decide how much it will be able to charge for stamps until 2010, the publication of the Bain report into its future and the advent of full competition for postal services in January 2006.

Small wonder, then, that there is a sudden clamour about the company’s Pounds 4.5bn pension fund deficit. Royal Mail knows this is one of its strongest cards in arguing for lighter price controls. Allan Leighton, its chairman, also knows that the deficit could scupper his plan to make Royal Mail a partly employee-owned business.

Ministers meanwhile appear split between those who believe that there may be a case for a taxpayer bail out and those who want to resist such a bail out at all costs. The regulator should treat all this jostling for position with a heavy dose of salt.

Two Post Office branches have beaten stiff competition from 14,600 branches across the UK to take the accolade of the best in the country.

The prize for best sub Post Office went to West Monkseaton branch near Whitley Bay. Subpostmasters Andrew and Joan Thompson were praised by their customers not only for their excellent customer service, but also for their community spirit in raising funds for local charities such as the local air ambulance and deaf and blind associations.

Two Post Office branches have beaten stiff competition from 14,600 branches across the UK to take the accolade of the best in the country.