Heads up stamp prices on increase again

Sun 9 Mar, 14:11 (last edited on Sun 9 Mar, 14:16)

I don't know.  Seems cheap to me, as I can stroll across the road and post a letter to my sister in Aberdeen knowing that it will get there tomorrow (or the day after).  Bargain.

Before you ask, no, sister doesn't have a PC, smartphone, or email.  Just the old fashioned things called a landline, and the post.  She's none too keen on the landline by the way.  "Newfangled things!"

Sun 9 Mar, 09:35

John, since Royal Mail was sold to Křetínský, the Czech billionaire, in December 2024, it is tied in to a Universal Service Obligation that commits them to deliver 6 days a week. 

This doesn't mean, however, that there are not proposals to downgrade the USO in quite radical ways, especially with regard to 2nd class past (not on Saturdays and only on alternate weekdays), also with regard to expected delivery targets for  both 1st and 2nd class post.

There's a Consultation by Ofcom here, open until 10 April: ofcom.org.uk/post/royal-mail/consultation-review-of-the-universal-postal-service-and-other-postal-regulation/

Sun 9 Mar, 07:49 (last edited on Sun 9 Mar, 09:03)

Royal Mail wishes to escape the Universal Service Agreement whereby it is obliged to deliver post to every street six days of the week. It wishes to focus on the more lucrative parcel side of the business. It does everything it can to discourage letter-post by jacking up the price of stamps and does nothing to encourage letter-writing. Killing off letter-post enables it to claim that the Universal Service Agreement is no longer justified.

Sat 8 Mar, 16:42

I suppose that Prime is the equivalent of a first class stamp/ service , depending on the frequency and urgency that is required ?  But what a high percentage increase ! same territory as Thames Water 

Sat 8 Mar, 16:39

The front line staff and our current and previous post man / lady ( person ? ) were fantastic, a joy to see and lovely people , being administered and directed by management that have no idea and concept of the demands placed upon them . That’s why they leave a job they love !!!!

Sat 8 Mar, 12:33

Absolutely correct, Andrew. And I was caught out like that a few years ago. Fortunately my card company very quickly cancelled the payment; it seems that they were used to this. I class it as a scam ... and evidently so do they.

Sat 8 Mar, 12:06

Whatever your view of Amazon, it doesn't do same-day delivery at 'no charge': that is a service offered with a Prime subscription. (And the subscription is set up to make it easy for people to sign up without quite realising.) There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Sat 8 Mar, 11:36

Jeff Bezos is a despicable human being. 

As opposed to all the lovely folks who staff the Charlbury post office (thank you!) who are as nice as can be, and our super cool postie who always says hello and has a time for a wee chat. 

I only hope that the price increases are passed along to the people who are actually pounding the pavements. It is they who deserve it.

Sat 8 Mar, 09:51

And employ posties on zero-hour contracts driving their own cars? While even Oxfam have reported concerns about working conditions in their warehouses.

I shall continue to use Ebay, favouring sellers who use Royal Mail. I no longer sell through Amazon, either.

Fri 7 Mar, 19:00

Incredible that Amazon can deliver on the same day something ordered and clicked on a screen and with no charge ! Perhaps Amazon should run the post office ? 

Fri 7 Mar, 13:33

As of 7th April 2025 Royal mail price increases-

1st Class stamps will go up by 5p per stamp new price £1.70

2nd Class stamps will go up by 2p per stamp new price 87p

1st Class lrg letter will go up by 55p per stamp new price £3.15