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Royal Mail Flags Weekend Delivery Delays Across Dozens of Postcodes

Royal Mail attributes the latest service alerts to staffing pressures with processing backlogs at some mail centres.

Overview

  • As of Saturday, the operator says its air and road network ran to schedule over the last day, but not all mail at Chelmsford Mail Centre was processed or dispatched on time.
  • Twenty-six delivery offices report slower service this weekend, affecting more than 20 areas including Bristol, Glasgow, Hull, Sunderland and Swindon.
  • Royal Mail points to high sick absence, local resourcing constraints and recent processing or transport issues, following earlier reports of delays linked to Norwich and a lorry bound for the Midlands Parcel Hub.
  • Performance remains below regulatory standards, with recent figures showing about 77.5% of first‑class post arriving next day and Ofcom having fined the company £21 million last year for missed targets.
  • Stamp prices rise in April to £1.80 for first class and 91p for second class, as MPs scrutinise whether the firm is meeting its universal service obligations.