Commenting on the announcement today on the increase in the price of stamps, Chris Thirkettle, postal expert, Consumer Focus Post, said:
‘Consumers will be disappointed at the news of yet another price rise, especially after the disruption over much of last year.
‘We reluctantly accept that the price rises are needed in the short term to sustain the Universal Service Obligation (USO). However, consumers can’t keep on footing the bill regardless. Unless Royal Mail begin to deliver efficiencies through their modernisation programme and better industrial relations then consumers will rightly start to lose patience with Royal Mail.’
Note
The increase in the price of stamps was approved by the regulator Postcomm and the additional income will be used to fund the USO. Consumer Focus believes that the maintenance of the USO should be the main objective of a customer orientated postal market.
Notes to Editors
1. Consumer Focus Post is a statutory organisation that champions the interests of postal consumers across Northern Ireland. Consumer Focus Post started operating on 1st October 2008.
