The cost of stamps is to increase.
The cost of posting a e-mail will soar next month, with the cost of a few stamps going up by scarcely 40pc.
Both initial and second-class stamps will way up by 14p, to 60p and 50p respectively, whilst the cost of posting considerable letters wil enlarge from 75p to 90p for initial class, and from 58p to 69p for second class.
The cost rises, that will flog in on April 30, follow a preference by regulator Ofcom to give Royal Mail the liberty to set its own prices.
"We know how hard it is for households and businesses when our manage to buy is as difficult as it is now," mentioned Royal Mail arch senior manager Moya Greene.
"No one likes to elevate prices in the stream mercantile weather but, regretfully, you have no option."
The regulator and Royal Mail mentioned the concept service " the belief that posting to any end in the UK is the same cost " would be beneath hazard without the cost rise. Royal Mail updated that even after the increases, second-class stamps would be the cheapest in Europe and first-class prices would be about average.
But Ann Robinson, director of consumer process at Uswitch.com, said: "This enlarge adds up to a 30pc travel in the cost of a first-class stam! p.
"It's an total discredit and other e.g. of the rocketing cost of living.
"Consumers are already feeling disturbed about their financial situation, with more than half adage they feel reduction assured about their funds subsequent to final week's budget.
"This statement is usually going to hole consumer certainty serve " and what creates it worse is that this enlarge will strike comparison and exposed consumers more.
"While people who can go online will be able to prevent it to an extent, those without internet access will be forced to cough up. It's just other e.g. of the financial penalties confronting those who can't go online."
Michelle Mitchell, gift director-general of Age UK, said: "While you comprehend that there is a need for negotiate between full cost deregulation and ensuring that the postal service waste affordable, Age UK is unhappy that the hat is to second cost stamp has been set so high.
"Not all comparison people have access to the internet and many rest on the post."
In a bid to pillow the blow, Royal Mail will enable people on allowance credit and practice and encouragement allowance or inability gain to take segment in a bonus XMas scheme. Towards the end of the year, about 5 million people will be authorised to buy up to 3 books of 12 stamps at 2011 prices.