RURAL DELIVERY WARNING OVER OFCOM POST PLAN
SNP Postal Affairs spokesperson, Mike Weir MP, has called on Ofcom to
clarify proposals which could result in the price charged for sending
letters and small packages to remote areas soar.
As part of a consultation on the future of the universal service obligation
– which closes on 5 January - Ofcom are proposing to give Royal Mail full
commercial freedom to determine contracts with large companies and other
postal providers as to what they will charge for the final delivery of
items.
Mr Weir has expressed concern that this could lead to higher prices in rural
and remote areas and has raised the matter at a meeting with Ofcom.
Mr Weir said:
“Everyone understands that it is more expensive to deliver items to rural
and remote areas, but up to now we have always had a one price anywhere
policy which ensured that we did not have the situation that has developed
in the parcels market where some companies will not deliver to the Highlands
and Islands of Scotland.
“Under the Ofcom proposals Royal Mail will be able to negotiate a contact
directly with other companies but it does appear that it is the intention of
Ofcom that such contracts should be cost reflective, which means that we
could reach a situation where different prices were being quoted for
different areas.
“Ofcom’s attitude appears to be that Royal Mail could not raise the costs
too high or large companies may simply go fully electronic and use email and
the internet. That does not take account of the fact that the postal service
serves both senders and recipients and many recipients, especially in more
remote areas, do not have access to fast broadband, or indeed broadband at
all.
“These are very serious issues which Ofcom do not appear to have taken on
board with their proposals. The Postal service remains vital to all areas of
Scotland and they must look at them again before it is far too late.”
ENDS
Contact SNP PRESS: 07894 394 724
Notes
The consultation on Ofcom’s proposals closes on 5th January and Mr Weir is
encouraging all those interested to make representations which can be done
at:
https://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/securing-the-postal-service/howtorespond/form