Delivery to a Neighbour FOI request and answer

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/1 ... 2.pdf.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Dear Sir/Madam

Re: Freedom of Information Act Request (Our Reference: MTEE-8Y3HNU)

I am writing in response to your recent request for information dated 11 th September 2012. Your request has been considered under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

You requested information relating to the Delivery to Neighbour scheme. Royal Mail has been trialling the Delivery to Neighbour programme in selected areas since November 2011 following a public consultation and approval from the regulator, Royal Mail asked for permission to roll out the Delivery to Neighbour programme to the rest of the country. This was granted by the regulator on the 27th September 2012.

In order to keep our customers informed we have provided extensive information about the Delivery to Neighbour scheme and details have been published on our website and can be found via the following link: http://www.royalmail.com/delivery-to-neighbour" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Please find below our response to the specific questions you have raised;

1. The consultation information given on your website states your trial involved only 360 households. Is this correct?

2. If #1 is correct, do you think 360 out of an estimated 26 million households in the UK is a sufficient amount to gain a true reflection of public opinion?
3. Why were no areas in the Midlands involved in the trial?

The Delivery to Neighbour trial involved 748,000 households within 6 areas of the country.

Royal Mail undertook tests in cities, towns, villages and rural communities covering England, Scotland and Wales in order to obtain a representative view of the UK and a true reflection of public opinion. Royal Mail were looking to understand the customer and business impact this change would have to delivery practice and obtain a representative view. To confirm there was no specific reason why the Midlands was not involved in the trial.

4. Why is everybody to be automatically opted in and have to go to the bother of having to opt out of something they've not been consulted on?

We have undertaken research that indicates that the majority of customers would welcome this change, enabling them to access their parcels much quicker, and with greater ease and convenience. We recognise that this isn’t suitable for all, which is why we are including a choice to opt-out.. We consider it important to note that other postal carriers in the UK offer a similar service with no opt out facility..

5. What are the dimensions of the 'opt out' sticker?

The opt out sticker is 22mm x 82mm

6. When a household opts out of the scheme, will their information be recorded as no longer participating in the scheme?

The information obtained when a household decides to opt out of the scheme will only be used to enable Royal Mail to send out an opt out sticker. No data will be stored nor shared.

7. If a person should not wish to display a sticker on or near their door, but also not want to be a part of this scheme, what other alternative is available?

There is no alternative opt out provision should a household not wish to display the opt out sticker on or near their delivery point.
I hope the information provided is useful to you. If for any reason you are not satisfied with this response, you do have the right to request a review. If you wish to do so please set out your reasons in writing and send to the Head of Information Governance, Royal Mail Group, Company Secretary's Office, 100 Victoria Embankment, LONDON, EC4Y 0HQ. An internal panel will then review the request, and you will be advised of the outcome. If, having requested an internal review, you are still not satisfied with our response you also have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at:

Information Commissioner’s Office,
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
WILMSLOW,
SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625 545 700, http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Yours sincerely
Marie Teasdale
Information Rights Team
Company Secretary’s Office

[RedBagMan]

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