Overview
- Royal Mail will also raise prices across Signed For, Special Delivery Guaranteed, Tracked services and first- and second-class parcel rates from April 7.
- Personal finance expert Martin Lewis is urging households to buy class-denominated stamps now because they remain valid after the rise.
- Royal Mail says the changes reflect higher delivery costs, about 70% fewer letters than 20 years ago, a rise to roughly 32 million addresses and low average annual stamp spend of £6.50 per adult.
- The company reports more than 92% of letters arrive by the due date, yet first-class next‑day performance remains below the 93% target and recent figures equate to roughly 93 million late second‑class letters.
- Ofcom has approved reshaping of the universal service, including ending Saturday second‑class deliveries and trials that switch second‑class delivery to alternating weekdays.