Andy Burnham government issues verdict on Royal Mail reform after thousands call for major change

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... t-34723969

More than 10,000 people signed the petition urging the Government to return the Royal Mail to public ownership

The government has issued a statement about reforming the Royal Mail after more than 10,000 people signed a petition calling to make a major change to the UK postal system.

The petition, launched on March 25, details concerns of the profit made by the Royal Mail since its privatisation, urging the government to return it to public ownership.

Under a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government, the Royal Mail privatisation began in 2013 following The Postal Services Act in 2011. Its full privatisation was completed in 2015.

The petition, which received 10,325 signatures and has now closed, reads: "We are concerned that Royal Mail has made profits for years while having repeated industrial disputes with loyal postal workers. Letter delivery has failed time and again. We believe privatisation has clearly failed — the Government should restore Royal Mail to public ownership

"We believe Royal Mail has generated profits for years while its dedicated postal workers have faced worsening conditions, triggering repeated industrial disputes. Letter delivery standards have failed time and time again, and we feel that the public is paying the price. We think privatisation has clearly failed."

It adds: "The Government should purchase Royal Mail and return this essential service to public ownership."

When any petition receives 10,000 signatures or more, the Government must issue a written statement. And if it reaches the 100,000 signature milestone, the topic will be considered for a debate in Parliament.

On September 28, a response was shared by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, which revelaed that the Government has "no current plans" to return Royal Mail to public ownership.

The response reads: "Royal Mail is a critical part of our national infrastructure, providing crucial services for millions across the UK, and is an iconic part of UK national life.

"Privatisation was necessary to ensure this critical institution continues and that there is a consistent provision of a universal postal service that does not compete for public funds, which should be used to fund the NHS and other public services."

It continues by saying that privatisation remains the "most appropriate option" at this time, but acknowledges that the quality of service offered by the Royal Mail "has not been good enough".

"However, the government do recognise that Royal Mail’s quality of service has not been good enough," the statement reads. "Ministers have regularly met Royal Mail’s leadership to discuss ongoing performance issues following reports of issues in a number of areas and will continue to make representations where service levels fall short."

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade added: "To support improvements in both quality of service and staff retention Royal Mail published its improvement plan on 21 April.

"The plan identifies a primary cause of service issues as the non-completion of delivery routes, and it sets out the measures and timeframes for improvement so that more routes are completed each day and constituents see fewer delays.

"The business has also committed to investing £500 million to increase its frontline resourcing, and the availability of average weekly working hours for part-time employees will increase."

The petition and full Government response can be found here. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/761287

[Delbhoy]

a universal postal service that doesn't compete for public funds

always thought Royal Mail paid for itself and profits went to the government

[Mr Rush]

"Privatisation was necessary to ensure this critical institution continues and that there is a consistent provision of a universal postal service that does not compete for public funds, which should be used to fund the NHS and other public services."

The government allowed the super-privatisation to go ahead two years ago because there is no money available to nationalise it even if they ideologically believed in doing so. The state is broke and it's only a matter of time till the façade that was constructed after 2008 falls down. They can't outright say it because that would immanentise the popping of our booming economy of aetherial bullshit.

[TopperGas]

a universal postal service that doesn't compete for public funds

always thought Royal Mail paid for itself and profits went to the government

Turn that on its head and why the Government expect a private company to run the USO at a loss? It seems the Government just have to let RM run the service down until it's profitable, or at least breaking even, and stop complaining while their do it if they don't want to use public funds to support it?

[SpacePhoenix]

"Privatisation was necessary to ensure this critical institution continues and that there is a consistent provision of a universal postal service that does not compete for public funds, which should be used to fund the NHS and other public services."

The government allowed the super-privatisation to go ahead two years ago because there is no money available to nationalise it even if they ideologically believed in doing so. The state is broke and it's only a matter of time till the façade that was constructed after 2008 falls down. They can't outright say it because that would immanentise the popping of our booming economy of aetherial bullshit.

It's not IF austerity will return, it's WHEN austerity will return.

[Tman]

And yet J*remy C*rbyn said Austerity was a false financial construct of the Tory government, and done merely to reduce workers' societal hopes and expectations..