“Get on and deliver it” is Andy Burnham’s message for improvements at Royal Mail
In only his second ever Prime Minister’s Question Time, the UK’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivered music to the ears of those in the greeting card industry showing his wholehearted commitment to upholding the Universal Service Obligation of Royal Mail while sending a message loud and clear for the management to improve its service.
Royal Mail’s performance received a full airing in a packed House of Commons on Wednesday’s PMQT with Connor Naismith, MP for Crew and Nantwich, bringing up its failure to deliver a reliable postal service.
Above: MP Connor Naismith’s questions initiated a positive response from the PM.
“It is clear to me as well as to many in this house that despite the hard work and dedication of our postal workers, Royal Mail’s management is failing in its obligation to provide a basic and reliable postal service,” stressed Connor, highlighting how the public are paying the price through post arriving with unacceptable delays.
Above: PM Andy Burnham acknowledges that RM’s delivery service has to improve.
It then was the turn for PM Andy Burnham to respond, uttering the words that publishers, retailers and card senders wanted to hear: “We, as a government are committed to a comprehensive Universal Service Obligation” stressing that is what “will safeguard Royal Mail’s future”.
He agreed that Royal Mail’s delivery standards have “not been good enough,” but welcomed the company’s commitment to a £500 million investment in front line resources.
He pulled no punches demanding that Royal Mail management needs to listen to what Connor was saying and act on it. “Get on and deliver it,” he urged.
The exchange followed announcements that only 75% of First Class mail arrived next day despite its target of 95%. Royal Mail has been fined a total of £37 million for missing delivery targets.
The GCA is maintaining its regular meetings with Royal Mail in order that the greeting card industry’s voice is heard in order to safeguard a reliable and affordable postal service.