March 27 2012
The cost of posting letters is to enlarge to record levels after the Royal Mail voiced a 14p enlarge in the cost of initial and second-class stamps to 60p and 50p.
The postal organisation warned that the concept service, beneath that post is delivered to any residence in the UK is to same price, was in "peril" without aloft stamp prices.
Chief senior manager Moya Greene said; "This is a really high-quality, loved service, but it needs to be paid for. The enlarge will revive our funds and sustainthe concept service. We had no substitute but to enlarge prices."
Ms Greene mentioned investigate showed the median domicile outlayed 50p a week on stamps, so she believed there was no "affordability issue" with aloft prices.
"We know how hard it is for households and businesses when our manage to buy is as difficult as it is now. No-one likes to elevate prices in the stream mercantile weather but, regretfully, you have no option.
"Royal Mail provides a of the highest-quality postal services in Europe for amongst the lowest prices for both consumers and business. That service is beneath hazard from disappearing volume, e-substitution and ever-increasing competition."
The Government mentioned the tip priority was to safegu! ard the concept service, whilst a consumer organisation mentioned the Royal Mail could not rest on pulling up prices to spin around its fortunes.
Prices will way up from the stream 46p for initial category and 36p for second category from April 30, whilst the cost of posting considerable letters will enlarge from 75p to 90p for initial category and 58p to 69p for second class.
The increases followed a preference by regulator Ofcom to give Royal Mail the liberty to set its own prices. Royal Mail mentioned that even after the increases, second-class stamps will still be the cheapest in Europe whilst initial category will be the fifth lowest.
The Royal Mail moreover voiced that millions of people on low incomes will be able to buy up to 36 stamps for XMas at the stream price. Around 5 million people on allowance credit and practice and encouragement allowance or inability gain will be authorised is to XMas scheme, gift them the luck to buy up to 3 books of 12 stamps at 2011 prices.