ANGUS MP SLAMS ZONAL POSTAL CHARGING PLANS

TRADE AND INDUSTRY SPOKESMAN CLAIMS ZONAL CHARGES ARE ‘UNREASONABLE AND DISCRIMINATORY’

SNP Trade and Industry spokesman, Mike Weir MP, has today (Thursday) raised concerns about the proposals for applying  a surcharge on the delivery of mail  in remote and rural areas.   

After questioning the Trade and Industry Minister on the subject of zonal postal  charges  Mr. Weir commented:

“We already have a situation where it is more expensive to post  parcels to many  rural and island  areas. This is wholly unreasonable and discriminatory to both customers and businesses in the North of Scotland.

“I am deeply concerned about the recent proposals by the Royal Mail to charge different prices for business mail depending on where in the U.K their mail is being delivered to.  The proposals would mean that low population rural areas pay 4.8% more compared to 4.9% less in high density business districts. This would mean it would be more costly to post to t rural and remote areas of Scotland.

“These proposals strike at the very heart of the Universal Service Obligation. If  granted by Postcomm then I fear that ordinary people in my own constituency of Angus, and other rural areas of Scotland   will suffer. I am also particularly worried that if these plans are introduced then it could pave the way for  future attempts to undermine and eventually destroy the Universal Service Obligation.”