Royal Mail has introduced a major permanent overhaul to how it delivers Second Class letters and cards in the UK, following approval from the industry regulator, Ofcom
Royal Mail has rolled out a significant permanent shake-up to its Second Class letter and card delivery service, after receiving the green light from industry watchdog Ofcom. Leaflets are being sent to homes nationwide explaining how the new system works. Royal Mail has now scrapped Saturday deliveries entirely for Second Class letters. These will now only arrive on alternating weekdays (Monday to Friday).
For example, your home might get Second Class post on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday one week, followed by Tuesday and Thursday the following week. First Class letters remain unchanged and will still be delivered six days a week (Monday to Saturday) with a next-day delivery aim.
All parcels—whether First Class, Second Class, or Tracked—will still be delivered up to seven days a week.
The "one-price-goes-anywhere" principle stays in place, so stamp costs don't differ depending on where you're sending mail within the UK.
The alteration hasn't gone down well with all Royal Mail customers, though, as one declared on Reddit: "That is a CUT. NOT a small change."
Another person concurred: "I'd hate to see what a big change will look."
A third added: "Great, we struggle to get our appointment letters out on time and now they make it harder!"
Despite this, another person commented: "If it happens like this and we get deliveries every other weekday it will be a massive improvement from where we are now. I send many 2nd class letters and I know they can take up to 2 weeks to arrive. A few years ago the majority were received within 3 days."
Royal Mail continues to aim for Second Class mail delivery within three weekdays, although it might take marginally longer depending on when your alternative delivery days occur.
This change was authorised by Ofcom to enable Royal Mail to reduce expenses and update its operations amid a substantial, long-term drop in letter volumes.
British households now receive an average of just four letters weekly, compared to 14 letters per week two decades ago. These operational changes are projected to save the postal service between £250 million and £425 million each year.
To ensure Royal Mail remains accountable under this reduced timetable, Ofcom has adjusted the statutory reliability standards. Royal Mail must now guarantee that 95% of Second Class mail reaches its destination within three weekdays, with a stringent backstop requirement that 99% arrives within five days.