SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has written to Royal Mail and the UK Government, seeking assurances about the universal postage rate after reports that Royal Mail may seek to introduce higher prices for parcel postage across certain rural areas.
Royal Mail recently updated their delivery ‘zones’, which they say is to “better reflect the cost of servicing certain areas”. This has sparked fears among some customers in the islands that Royal Mail intend to introduce zonal pricing, charging customers higher fees for posting to the Highlands and Islands (as well as parts of Aberdeenshire, Perthshire and Falkirk). While 1st and 2nd class post set pricing is protected by Royal Mail’s Universal Service Obligation, the company recently introduced their “Tracked 24/48” parcel service, which resembles 1st and 2nd class postage in all but name. These services are not price-protected in the same way as 1st and 2nd class postage.
Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:
“Zonal pricing for Royal Mail services must be fought at all costs. Islanders already struggle to get items delivered without facing outrageous surcharges from courier companies – something the UK Government could legislate on to prevent, but refuses to do. It is vital that Royal Mail continue in the spirit of the universal service obligation, and don’t discriminate financially against rural and island areas (or even urban areas, like Inverness!) based on their perceived ‘remoteness’.
“The Royal Mail was privatised by the UK Government over a decade ago, but the UK Government remains responsible for ensuring that the Royal Mail performance is continuing to meet its Universal Service Obligation (USO) requirements.
“While Ofcom was consulting on its recent USO changes (reducing the required regularity of 2nd class deliveries), they did not receive any consultation responses from the Highlands & Islands, due perhaps in part to the fact that they only ventured as far north as Edinburgh to conduct their public engagement sessions.
“I hope that customers in the islands receive meaningful reassurances that the new delivery zones are not opening the way to a poorer level of service in the Highlands and Islands.”
