**Royal Mail to End Saturday Second Class Post Deliveries from Late July, Ofcom Confirms**
Significant reforms are on their way for Royal Mail customers, as the company prepares to reduce the frequency of certain postal services. The communications regulator, Ofcom, has officially sanctioned an end to Saturday deliveries for second class letters, setting the stage for a major shift in the UK’s longstanding postal routine. These changes are scheduled to come into force starting 28 July 2025.
Under the new arrangements, Royal Mail will discontinue its six-day delivery service for second class post, opting instead to provide alternate weekday deliveries. However, those who rely on first class post can expect to see no change, with daily deliveries continuing from Monday through Saturday. This move marks a departure from a tradition that ensured six-day postal services across the nation, a model held in place for generations.
According to Ofcom, the target for second class letters will remain in place: delivery within three working days. The regulator affirmed that, despite one less delivery day per week, postal users should not experience a change in the timeframe for receiving their second class mail. These alterations follow an extensive period of consultation involving stakeholders and the public, highlighting growing pressures on Royal Mail’s universal service obligations in an increasingly digital era.
Ofcom representatives state that the intention behind the reform is to safeguard the future of the universal postal service, which has faced mounting challenges in recent years. As the volume of traditional letter post declines and operational costs rise, there has been widespread debate about how to make the service sustainable. The regulator also cited the need for wide-ranging changes to ensure that both consumers and businesses continue to benefit from a reliable, affordable postal network.
Further scrutiny is also being applied to stamp pricing as Ofcom launches a review addressing concerns over affordability for households and businesses alike. The regulator has announced new standards to reassure customers, including a requirement that 99% of mail must now be delivered no more than two days late. These ‘backstop’ delivery targets aim to maintain a high level of service reliability during times of transition.
Natalie Black, Ofcom’s Group Director for Networks and Communications, explained the reasoning behind the move: “These changes are in the best interests of consumers and businesses, as urgent reform of the postal service is necessary to give it the best chance of survival.” She added a note of caution, commenting that changing Royal Mail’s obligations alone would not automatically guarantee improved services. “The company now has to play its part and implement this effectively,” she said.
Ms Black also underscored the regulator’s commitment to transparency, promising vigilant oversight. “We’ll be making sure Royal Mail is clear with its customers about what’s happening, and passes the benefits of these changes on to them,” she stated.
Reaction to the announcement has been mixed. Some commentators see the move as a necessary adaptation to changing communication habits, pointing to the surge in digital alternatives to post, while others have voiced concerns about delays and possible further cutbacks in the future. Business groups have expressed hope that clearer delivery timeframes and stamp pricing reviews will bring some stability and reassurance.
For now, Royal Mail customers using second class post are advised to plan ahead, particularly if they have time-sensitive correspondence, as Saturday deliveries will no longer be available from late July. With additional scrutiny on service reliability and affordability, the coming months will be crucial in determining how these historic changes bed in, and what the future holds for the UK’s national postal service.