Ofcom has, today, published its decision on the “Future of the universal postal service” following extensive consultation with stakeholders. The full decision document can be viewed here.

In response, Martin Seidenberg, Group Chief Executive Officer, International Distribution Services said: “We welcome today’s announcement from Ofcom. It is good news for customers across the UK as it supports the delivery of a reliable, efficient and financially sustainable Universal Service. It follows extensive consultation with thousands of people and businesses to ensure that the postal service better reflects their needs and the realities of how customers send and receive mail today.”

This represents the most significant change to the Universal Service in decades. The changes announced today will help us to better protect the one-price-goes-anywhere service our customers value and support the delivery of a more reliable, efficient and financially sustainable postal service. We are reviewing the announcement and will provide further detail in due course.

We are keen to move ahead with deployment as soon as possible and will keep you updated on roll out plans.

We would also like to thank you again for your contributions to the debate on changes to the Universal Service to date which has been valuable to us in shaping the future of Royal Mail as we move towards a more reliable, sustainable postal service.

Impacts on the Access Letters Contract (ALC)

In December 2024, via Access Letters Contract Notice 114, we notified Access customers of the introduction of a new D+3 (Standard) service into the ALC, as well as changes to the D+2 (Priority) service specifications.

We also notified of price changes to D+2 Letter and Large Letter prices via Access Letters Contract Notice 115.

As a result of Ofcom’s decision, the changes under both of the above change notices will take effect from 28 July 2025.

We will be writing to you shortly regarding further contract changes we said we would notify Access customers of following Ofcom’s decision being published.