Royal Mail letting down our posties and their customers

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/ ... customers/

It is frustrating to still be writing about poor Royal Mail service so many months after I was assured that the surge in complaints over Christmas was due to temporary seasonal pressures that would soon ease.

The fact is that four months on I am still receiving regular complaints to my office, ranging from understandable frustrations around mail simply not being delivered with any sort of regularity to grievous failures such as late letters resulting in missed NHS hospital appointments.

One terrible example was from a patient waiting for confirmation of urgent cancer care.

It has become evident that this problem is not isolated.

Across the UK, many areas are experiencing similar failures.

In response, the Royal Mail chairman, chief executive officer and UK operations director were called before the Business and Trade Committee earlier this month, a session I took part in, to answer for the company’s poor performance.

Following that hearing, I wrote to them seeking clarity on a number of critical issues.

First, there are discrepancies in performance data given by Ofcom versus that given by Royal Mail. I have asked for accurate, transparent figures.

I have also requested data on how many complaints Royal Mail has received, specifically around missed medical appointments, and further details on the new NHS barcode system intended to prioritise urgent clinical letters and how this will improve delivery in areas like ours.

And, as I’ve said in this letter, and also a subsequent letter to Royal Mail’s senior public affairs manager, it is apparent to me that something is especially wrong with our postal service, but no considered explanation has been given.

I will always stand up for our local posties. They are a really decent, hard-working bunch who put in tough shifts, often in difficult weather.

There is something very wrong in our Royal Mail currently, but it is not their fault. Unfortunately, it is often them that will receive the brunt of public complaints on the doorstep and in the street.

They are being let down badly, and so are their customers.

The Royal Mail has an obligation to provide a reliable service that must be upheld.
I will continue to hold the company and regulators to account so that we are all delivered the postal service we deserve.

Nick Smith is MP for Blaenau Gwent

[Mr Rush]

The Royal Mail has an obligation to provide a reliable service that must be upheld.

Like a furloughed athlete digging into the Haagen Dazs, allowing standards to slip during the pandemic has permitted RM to get wildly out of shape and what it lacks in will to restore itself shall require the whip instead.