Thank you for contacting me about the Royal Mail.
I was sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction with this company. As you may know, under the Postal Services Act 2011 the Royal Mail is a private organisation and it is the responsibility of the independent postal services regulator Ofcom to ensure that the company carries out its functions properly.
Ofcom does not, however, handle individual complaints, and advises that complaints about Royal Mail should be addressed in the first instance to the company directly. In the event the complaint concerns the Royal Mail’s regulated postal services and the company cannot provide a resolution, it can issue a ‘deadlock' notice that will allow the customer to ask the Independent Postal Redress scheme to investigate the case.
The Universal Postal Service is a vital part of our economy and society. Individuals and communities across the UK rely on this service and the Government’s commitment to it has always been crystal clear.
Competition is important and can drive efficiency, but it should not be allowed to undermine the future viability of the universal service. I am glad the Government has given Ofcom the power to monitor what is happening in the postal market and if necessary, the power to intervene to level the playing field.
Regarding EDM 1017, I do not as a rule sign Early Day Motions as I have not found them to be an effective means of achieving change. Additionally, operational matters, including decisions on staffing levels and workforce structure, are the direct responsibility of Royal Mail’s management. The Government is not involved in the operational decisions of Royal Mail, a private company.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
