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We informed you in February of our intention to introduce the facility to post heavier Packet items up to 5kg via your Access 120 service. We are now pleased to confirm that this weight extension will launch from the 1st August 2011 and allows customers to hand over heavier Packet items when using the Access 120 and the Access 1400 Services.
Customers wishing to use the extended weights on their Access 120 and Access 1400 Services are required to sign the new Access Packets 2-5kg Agreement before the extended weights and applicable prices can be added to your Access account.
Full details can be found in the following documents attached:
Access Packets 2-5kg Agreement v1
UGA15 details the changes to the User Guide to support the launch of Access packets 2-5kg
Access Agreement - Mixed Weight Schedule v2
This version allows for handover of the new extended weights
This version details the use of ALPS for both Access 120 and Access 1400 Services
We are not yet in a position where we can inform you of which Access services, if any, may incur VAT from April 2012 but we would like to share our current view with you.
As you may be aware, HMRC guidelines show that generally Royal Mail postal services that are part of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) or price regulated are exempt from VAT. A recent Ofcom consultation on proposals for the future regulatory framework for Access services suggests a proposal to remove the price regulation on Access Packets (including A3 Packets) and Access Premium. Should Ofcom decide to do this, our current view is that it is likely that these services will become subject to HMRC’s current rulings on 20% VAT with effect from April 2012.
However, until Ofcom publishes its decision on the future of the regulatory framework for Access, Royal Mail is not in a position to inform its customers which Access services, if any, will be subject to VAT and the date on which VAT becomes effective.
For professional advice on VAT, talk to your Finance department, Accountant or Tax Advisor.
Royal Mail is currently progressing with an ongoing programme of Mail Centre modernisation reviews which involve the closure of some of its smaller Mail Centres, consolidation of larger and more modern Mail Centres as well as the opening of some new Mail Centres. We are pleased to be able to share the information following the latest consultation period with regard to the mail centre modernisation programme.
2011
- Mail for HP Postcode area currently circulating Hemel Hempstead Mail Centre is to be circulated to Home Counties North (new site) from 8th August 2011.
- Mail for SG Postcode area currently circulating to Stevenage Mail Centre is to be circulated to Home Counties North (new site) from 8th August 2011
- Mail for AL EN, LU & WD Postcode areas currently circulating to Watford Mail Centre is to be circulated to Home Counties North (new site) from 5th September 2011.
2012 onwards
- Mail for W2-14 (W1-14 for Access 70) Postcode areas currently circulated to London Central Mail Centre is to be circulated to Greenford from January 2012 (postponed from 25th July 2011).
- Mail for N Postcode currently circulated to London East Mail Centre to be circulated to London Central from February 2012 (postponed from 15th August 2011)
- The closure of York and Bradford Mail Centres and the transfer of the work to Leeds MC in 2012/13
- The closure of Darlington and Teesside and the transfer of work to Tyneside in 2012/13
- The closure of Doncaster in 2012/13 and Hull in 2014/15 and the transfer of work to Sheffield
- The closure of Southend and the transfer of the work to Chelmsford in 2011 /12
- The closure of Dartford, Canterbury, Maidstone and Tonbridge and the transfer of work to a new Kent Mail Centre in 2012
No further updates are yet agreed.
Please contact your Access Account Director for any further information.
On 27th October we were pleased to share details of our ‘Delivery to Neighbour’ trial which is part of an on-going programme to make deliveries more convenient for our customers.
For more information on this trial please view the attached communication or follow this link.
Deliver to a neighbour trial.pdf
Royal Mail Wholesale has concluded its proposals to change the definition of the National Geographic Posting Profile (NGPP) upon which all National Access Agreements are based. Our final decisions are formed from the result of consulting and meeting with our customers and related trade associations whose views we value and have taken into consideration. The proposals are made in the context of harmonising Access charges for National postings with Zonal postings and remove the potential for any arbitrage. At the same time we are seeking to make the posting of mail through Royal Mail Wholesale cost effective and efficient, whilst providing customers with a “do nothing” option which will enable them to continue posting as before. The current economic climate and the overall sharp decline in the postal sector of the communications market make these objectives even more vital today.
