The Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee is today publishing the Government’s response to its report on postal regulation.

[POSTMAN]

https://committees.parliament.uk/commit ... ckpassing/

Liam Byrne on Royal Mail: Customers need reliable deliveries, not another round of buck-passing

In May, the Committee set a clear test: if improvement plans failed to deliver meaningful change within six months, the Secretary of State should consult on statutory changes to Ofcom’s duties and powers to ensure they meet the needs of the modern postal market.

With that deadline approaching, the Government has made no commitment to consult on changes. Its response says it will give serious consideration to any request from Ofcom for additional powers. Ofcom, meanwhile, has given no indication that it needs further powers, despite repeated failures in Royal Mail’s service.

Ofcom has opened another investigation into Royal Mail’s performance, which could result in a fine for the fourth consecutive year. But the Committee is pressing for evidence that regulatory action is delivering lasting improvements for households and businesses.

Concern over Royal Mail’s capacity to improve has intensified following BBC reporting last week that around 400 postal workers are leaving the company each week. This compares with the 326 weekly departures the Communication Workers Union says were occurring before the introduction of Royal Mail’s revised delivery arrangements, known as DM26.

Alongside the Government’s response, the Committee is publishing a further letter to Ofcom Chair Sir Ian Cheshire, demanding answers about its discussions with ministers, the adequacy of its powers and the action it will take to secure improvements.

Chair comment
Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP, Chair of the Committee, said:

“Royal Mail is far from fixed. What the country needs is reliable deliveries, not another round of buck-passing between ministers and the regulator. Repeated service failures and the prospect of a fourth consecutive annual fine demand a clear answer: what will make Royal Mail meet its obligations?

“Reports that around 400 postal workers are leaving each week raise further questions about Royal Mail’s ability to improve, with Christmas just two months away.

“Our six-month deadline for Royal Mail’s improvement is just one month away. We need Ofcom to now show whether its action is working and or whether there are gaps in its powers.”

Ofcom initially responded just a day after the Committee's report was published on May 22, and then sent a fuller response on 9 July.

https://committees.parliament.uk/public ... andard/pdf

[TopperGas]

So basically OFCOM haven't got a clue how to respond to the Committee's questions? No wonder RM just plods on totally ignoring OFCOM and just paying the annual fines.