Overview
- Royal Mail implemented new prices on Tuesday, raising first-class stamps by 10p to £1.80 and second-class by 4p to 91p.
- The company says higher delivery costs, far fewer letters and more delivery points now at about 32 million addresses drove the change.
- Premium services and many parcel rates also increased, including Signed For, Special Delivery Guaranteed and Tracked options, and older stamps remain valid for use.
- Performance continues to lag the 93% target, with only 73.7% of first-class post on time in the latest quarter and a £21m Ofcom fine last year for late deliveries.
- Citizens Advice and MPs are pushing for price controls tied to on-time delivery, noting first-class prices have climbed 137% in six years and that Ofcom-backed pilots are testing fewer second-class delivery days.