In a damning indictment of Britain's postal service, new regulatory figures reveal that the Royal Mail is now failing to deliver nearly one in four first-class letters within its promised timeframe. The alarming statistics from communications watchdog Ofcom paint a picture of a service in steep decline, performing at its worst level since current records began.
Steep Decline in Service Standards
The latest data shows only 74% of first-class mail arrived within one working day between April and June this year—a significant drop from the 93% recorded during the same period last year. This performance falls woefully short of Royal Mail's legal requirement to deliver 93% of first-class post within one working day.
Second-Class Post Also Affected
The service decline isn't limited to first-class mail. Second-class post also suffered, with 92.5% arriving within three working days compared to 98.9% the previous year. The universal service obligation requires 98.5% of second-class mail to meet this target.
Ofcom's Stern Warning
The regulator has issued a stark warning to Royal Mail, stating the company must "take all reasonable steps" to restore delivery times. An Ofcom spokesperson emphasized: "Postal workers are working hard to deliver mail across the country, but we're concerned by Royal Mail's performance... We're keeping a close eye on the company's progress and will not hesitate to take action if it doesn't meet its targets."
Royal Mail's Response
Royal Mail attributes the service issues to ongoing "industrial action and high levels of sick absence" earlier this year. A company spokesperson stated: "Quality of service is our top priority... We have plans in place to drive further improvement, including recruiting more frontline staff and later start times for postmen and women."
Financial Penalties Loom
Should Royal Mail fail to improve its performance, the company could face substantial financial penalties. Ofcom has previously fined Royal Mail £5.6 million for missing delivery targets in the 2018/19 financial year, demonstrating the serious consequences of continued underperformance.
The deteriorating service standards raise serious questions about the reliability of the UK's postal system and its ability to meet the needs of both businesses and individuals who depend on timely mail delivery.
