CARDS MARKED

Royal Mail boss warns of late deliveries and stamp price rises

- GRAHAM HISCOTT

ROYAL Mail expects to fail to deliver Christmas cards on time but is threatening to charge even more for stamps.

Bosses of the privatised business have not ruled out job losses, blaming a £120million national insurance increase due to the Budget.

Martin Seidenberg, chief executive of the postal giant's owner International Distribution Services, insisted its performance over the festive period would be better than last year after taking on thousands of staff.

But he said it was unlikely to hit delivery targets for post in the three months that include Christmas.