March 27 2012
First and second category stamp prices are to enlarge by 14p from next month to record highs of 60p and 50p, the Royal Mail has announced.
Prices will way up from the stream 46p and 36p 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 category stamps will still be the cheapest in Europe whilst initial category will be around average.
The Royal Mail moreover voiced that millions of people on low incomes will be able to purchase up to 36 stamps for XMas at the stream price.
The new prices, display increases of 30% for initial category and 39% for second class, follow a outrageous shrinking in the number of letters posted - down from 84 million a day 6 years ago to 59 million.
Royal Mail arch senior manager Moya Greene said: "We know how hard it is for households and businesses when the manage to buy is as difficult as it is now. No a likes to elevate prices in the stream mercantile weather but, regretfully, you have no option.
"Royal Mail pro! vides a of the top high 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 stepping up competition. Because of these pressures Royal Mail has mislaid £1 billion over the final 4 years; the sustainability of the service is right away at risk.
"Price increases are indispensable to lapse the concept service to sustainability."