As the son of a Blackpool postie, I know how much Royal Mail means... we can't let it be run into the ground
The problems we are seeing are not accidental, says Chris Webb MP.
“As the son of a Blackpool postie, I know just how much Royal Mail means to communities like ours. It is more than a delivery service – it’s a trusted presence on our streets, a vital link for those who rely on it and an institution that has served the country for over 500 years.
“Today that service is under serious strain. Across the country, posties are working incredibly hard in increasingly difficult conditions, while the service they are proud to deliver is being undermined. The problems we are seeing are not accidental, they’re the result of decisions taken at the top of the company.
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“Years of poor financial decisions, constant restructuring of delivery offices and a recruitment model built on low pay and weaker conditions for new starters have created a perfect storm. The result is a service that is struggling to meet the needs of the public.
“Local posties tell me they are being pushed to prioritise parcels over letters. But every letter left behind has consequences – a missed hospital appointment, a delayed benefits decision, or an important document failing to reach a small business on time. These are not minor inconveniences, they have real impacts on people’s lives.
“Trials of Royal Mail’s so-called ‘optimised delivery model’ have failed, showing that it relies on unrealistic cost savings, including cutting jobs, rather than focusing on providing a reliable service for customers.
“At the heart of the problem is a growing recruitment and retention crisis. Tens of thousands of new starters have left in recent years, with many leaving within their first 12 months. When experienced staff are stretched thin and new recruits go, it becomes impossible to maintain a reliable service.
“Royal Mail can recover, but only if it starts valuing its workforce properly. That means fair pay, decent conditions and a commitment to rebuilding trust with the people who keep the service running.
“This is a vital national service. We must not allow it to be run down. The Government must step in, hold the company to account and ensure Royal Mail delivers for the communities that depend on it.”