72% fear halving second class post will put people at risk of harm by missing vital letters

NEARLY three-quarters of the public fear they or a loved one could suffer harm if Royal Mail slashes second-class post deliveries from six days a week to just three, a survey has found.

- Steph Spyro

Delays to vital letters from GPs, solicitors, local councils or other professional services could have a devastating impact on those relying the post for essential on communications.

And those aged over 65 are most likely to be against the deliveries being slashed in half.

Johnbosco Nwogbo, of public ownership campaign group We Own It, which commissioned the survey, warned of the potential harm to the most vulnerable if the service is reduced.

Mr Nwogbo said: "Millions of people on NHS waiting lists are very much reliant on letters from the NHS with surgery appointments, some of which will be at very short notice.

"As soon as you chip away at that universal service, you immediately disadvantage certain people, such as older citizens and digitally excluded groups." The Survation poll found members of the public are evenly split over whether they agree with the cuts, despite being fearful of the impact with 35% in favour and 34% against.

Those over 65 are more strongly against the cuts, with only 16% in favour and 54% against, which reflects "differing generational attitudes towards letters".

Meanwhile 60% of the 2,029 respondents say they want Royal Mail to be taken back into public ownership, reversing the 2013 selloff by the coalition government.