Royal Mail to End Saturday Second Class Deliveries in Major Overhaul
Royal Mail is set to make drastic changes to its long-standing services, marking a significant shift in how millions across the UK will receive their post. From 28 July, Saturday deliveries for second class letters will be axed, and the frequency of deliveries for this service will be further trimmed, moving to an alternate weekday schedule instead.
This decision is the result of extensive regulatory review and comes amid ongoing challenges in the postal sector, including falling demand and rising financial pressures. Communications regulator Ofcom, which oversees the postal market, confirmed the changes following a period of consultation that began earlier in the year. Despite the reduction, Ofcom insists there will still be a commitment to deliver second class letters within three working days, though concerns remain about how the new system will function in practice.
Royal Mail has struggled in recent years to maintain its service levels in the face of plummeting mail volumes. Two decades ago, around 20 billion letters were handled annually, but that number has now dropped to just 6.6 billion, reflecting the digital transformation in how people communicate. The company has also faced heavy penalties, racking up over £16 million in fines within the last year and a half for falling short of delivery targets.
First class mail users, however, will continue to see deliveries from Monday to Saturday. This aspect of the service is not changing at present, providing some reassurance for those reliant on faster postal options. The move aims to streamline operations while safeguarding the financial health of Royal Mail as it contends with ongoing revenue challenges.
Natalie Black, Group Director for Networks and Communications at Ofcom, commented on the developments: “These reforms are necessary if we want to ensure a sustainable future for the postal service. But this isn’t just about restructuring—Royal Mail needs to follow through and deliver on its promises to consumers and businesses, making the transition as clear and smooth as possible.”
She added that regulators would monitor the changes closely to ensure the potential benefits, such as cost savings, are recognised by the public. In a bid to address concerns about rising stamp prices, Ofcom has also launched a review focused on the affordability of postal services, with a public consultation set to take place next year.
Martin Seidenberg, Chief Executive of International Distribution Services, Royal Mail’s parent company, welcomed Ofcom’s decision. He described the overhaul as “good news for customers across the UK,” explaining that the changes are the result of extensive consultation with communities and businesses to better align the postal offering to current needs and trends in mail usage.
Not everyone is convinced, however. Tom MacInnes, Director of Policy at Citizens Advice, has been highly critical of both Royal Mail and the regulatory response. He argued that, “Royal Mail has consistently underperformed, while customers have been faced with rising postage bills. Cutting back services and reducing targets does nothing to guarantee better reliability or higher standards.”
He called on Ofcom to “back up its words with action,” stating that UK consumers deserved a service that reliably delivers on its obligations, rather than simply scaling back expectations.
The changes underline the broader difficulties traditional postal services face as digital alternatives proliferate. With fewer people relying on physical letters, companies like Royal Mail are under increasing pressure to adapt their business models in order to survive.
As the new system takes effect later this month, all eyes will be on Royal Mail to see whether the revised delivery schedule can balance efficiency with the high expectations of customers, and whether cost savings will be passed down in a way that makes the postal service both affordable and fit for purpose in the years ahead.