Royal Mail has confirmed that Saturday deliveries for 2nd class post will be permanently scrapped, with letters and cards now arriving on alternate weekdays only. The change, part of Ofcom's Universal Service Obligation reforms announced in July 2025, is being communicated to millions of UK households via leaflets.
New Delivery Schedule
Under the new timetable, 2nd class mail will be delivered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday one week, followed by Tuesday and Thursday the next. Royal Mail says it will still aim to deliver items within three weekdays, but weekend gaps mean a letter sent on Thursday may not arrive until the following Tuesday.
First Class and Parcels Unaffected
First class mail will continue to be delivered six days a week, Monday to Saturday. Parcels will still be delivered up to seven days a week. The price of a 2nd class stamp remains at 91p.
Royal Mail stated: "Letters remain an important means of keeping us connected, but fewer are being sent these days." The new schedule will be rolled out across the UK in 2026 as the service adapts to declining letter volumes.
