Elderly 'hammered' by 30p jump in price of first class stamp

Campaigners' fury at second rise this year

- Stephen Beech

PENSIONERS will be hardest hit by a 30p hike for a first class stamp, furious campaigners claimed last night.

The cost will increase to £1.65 on October 7, while second class stamps will remain at 85p.

It is the second rise for a first class stamp in just six months after it went up 10p to £1.35 in April when the price of a second class stamp also went up 10p. It means a first class stamp has soared 32% this year alone.

Royal Mail bosses say they have tried to keep price rises as low as possible in the face of declining letter volumes, inflation and the costs associated with maintaining the Universal Service Obligation under which deliveries have to be made six days a week.

Failing