Saturday second-class post axed by Royal Mail

ROYAL Mail will be allowed to scrap Saturday deliveries for second-class post and switch to an alternate weekday service instead from later this month, regulator Ofcom has announced.

- HOLLY WILLIAMS

The regulator said that from July 28, Royal Mail will be able to axe the six-day-a-week service for second-class letters, but will maintain Monday to Saturday deliveries for first-class post.

It said it would keep the target for second-class letters to arrive within three working days despite changing deliveries to every other weekday.

The changes come after a lengthy consultation and will help Royal Mail cut costs by between £250 million and £425 million a year, according to Ofcom.

Royal Mail is not expected to push through the overhaul to all second-class letter deliveries across the UK from this month, but will look to roll it out having already launched pilots in 37 of its 1,200 delivery offices.

The industry watchdog said reform of the so-called universal service was needed to help it “survive” as people send far fewer letters and as the cost of stamps has been soaring.

Ofcom said it had also launched a review of the price of stamps amid concerns over affordability, with a consultation set to start next year.