Royal Mail: The Need to Fix a National Institution

As rapid technological change enables us to order a parcel with the tap of a finger, it’s easy to assume that the physical delivery of letters no longer matters. But from Combe to Upper Lambourn, the post remains a vital link to everyday life for thousands of residents across Newbury and West Berkshire. 

My inbox includes many stories from constituents continuing to face delays and long periods without any post at all. As MPs from all parties have made abundantly clear, this is a nationwide issue - but it is particularly damaging for our rural communities, where physical correspondence is crucial. Whether its birthday’s, christenings, or bills that need paying, so many aspects of our daily lives rely on the timely delivery of post. 

The latest local data, as shared with me by Citizens Advice, under the RG postcode (99.3% of Newbury constituency falls under the RG postcode) is not acceptable:

• Across 2025-2026, only 73.5% of First-Class Mail had been delivered, falling well short of the 93% target

• The last time Royal Mail met this target was Q2 in 2019-2020

• No annual target has been met since 2017-2018

And what is their response? The price of a First-Class stamp has risen to £1.80 this week (a 180% increase in the past ten years), while Ofcom reforms to the Universal Service Obligation mean Second Class letters will now be delivered on alternate weekdays – rather than six days a week – people are paying more for a reduced service. 

After repeatedly raising concerns and highlighting the experiences of constituents, the same response from Royal Mail is rolled out: expressing sympathy and assurances that the service will improve. This will not get my constituents missed hospital appointment back, or undo the stress caused by delays to important letters. 

I met with Citizens Advice this week to discuss the specific challenges facing residents here and the steps we need to take to see root-and-branch change. I have also tabled an Early Day Motion calling on the Government and Ofcom to specifically address issues facing rural areas.   

The ball is in the Government’s court, and alongside many of my Parliamentary colleagues, we will continue to support our phenomenal posties while urging Minister’s to ramp up the pressure on Royal Mail and a regulator that is failing to hold them to account.