Troops' free parcel scheme extended.

[t-c]

A free parcel service for the families of British troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan is to be extended, the Royal Mail has announced.

The service was launched in September after complaints from families and friends of the troops and was due to run out next month.

The Royal Mail said that, under a new deal agreed with the Ministry of Defence, the service will continue after Christmas and is expected to last as long as British troops are serving in the two danger zones.

Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "The introduction of free post in the summer has been a real success with both families and service personnel, and I am just delighted that we have been able to come to an agreement with Royal Mail that will ensure the continuation of this valued service.

"I am very grateful to Royal Mail for their support for our troops."

Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier said: "I'm very proud that Royal Mail will continue to play a key role in making it as easy as possible for families and friends to send gifts and home comforts to their loved ones in the frontline.

"The messages we've received from men and women at the front tell us how much they value parcels from home - and we're delighted to work with the BFPO to ensure a free service continues."

Over the past few weeks around 100,000 parcels a week have been sent free of postage to around 14,000 frontline personnel, providing them with gifts, non-perishable food items and home comforts.

Under the new deal, the cost of continuing the free frontline parcel scheme will be shared jointly by Royal Mail and the MoD's British Forces Post Office.

Relatives and friends can take parcels weighing up to 2kg (4.4lb) to any Post Office branch for onward posting to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as to Royal Navy ships in the region.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/20071 ... e80_2.html

I think if Royal Mail can affort to pay for this, they can give us a decent pay deal.

[Lounge Lizard]

Typical. They can find the money for that despite the high pay and perks servicemen are on, but can't find the money to give us a decent pay rise and maintain our conditions and pensions.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Typical. They can find the money for that despite the high pay and perks servicemen are on, but can't find the money to give us a decent pay rise and maintain our conditions and pensions.

I kind of guessed you would post something along those lines - Thanks for not disappointing me.

[DB1100]

Typical. They can find the money for that despite the high pay and perks servicemen are on, but can't find the money to give us a decent pay rise and maintain our conditions and pensions.

What a complete and utter waste of space,just the sort of comment I would expect from someone who has skived away in the MOD,if you have nothing to say STFU

[plodsie]

He does have a certain point. This was the perfect opportunity for RM to stick one on the Government, and say "No, Sorry we don't have the money or resources to do that. Try TNT or some of the other operators that you have given business to. Or are they not cheap enough?". Another missed chance from L & C to force the Government's hand.

[jemima]

He does have a certain point. This was the perfect opportunity for RM to stick one on the Government, and say "No, Sorry we don't have the money or resources to do that. Try TNT or some of the other operators that you have given business to. Or are they not cheap enough?". Another missed chance from L & C to force the Government's hand.

TNT etc are not an integral part of the fabric of the UK. RM is. The government as RM shareholder will receive slightly less income from RM's profits as a result of the RM's contribution to the scheme, so the cost is largely irrelevant.

[plodsie]

I am very proud of our soldiers, however I am ashamed of those who sent them. I am in no way saying they do not deserve what they get, and that includes the parcels. But the Government should pay the going rate for all of these parcels, it is they who made us a 'business' after all, and businesses don't do anything for nothing.

[t-c]

I think if Royal Mail can affort to pay for this, they can give us a decent pay deal.

To be fair True,

They chose to join the military knowing what it could happen. Like wise i am ashamed of the one's who sent them there- with no real just cause-IMHO. They are very brave- that is not for debate. BUT this is a busines-so they keep telling us, we're posties who have to make the savings for them to just give it away.( i believe its a service)

Yes R.M should charged the MOD- i bet there budet is a a lot more than ours, or claim ours costs it back off the government.

Sorry if thats unpopular with guys, But if Royal Mail started doing that for emergency services, where would they stop? Free post for all?

[Lounge Lizard]

Typical. They can find the money for that despite the high pay and perks servicemen are on, but can't find the money to give us a decent pay rise and maintain our conditions and pensions.

What a complete and utter waste of space,just the sort of comment I would expect from someone who has skived away in the MOD,if you have nothing to say STFU

Typically someone who can't make a reasoned argument resorts to being abusive.

[jemima]

The total cost of this scheme is estimated at around £2 million. The government will pay half. I can think of a very easy way to save RM a million pounds to cover its share of the money.

[IWW Fellow Worker]

The total cost of this scheme is estimated at around £2 million. The government will pay half. I can think of a very easy way to save RM a million pounds to cover its share of the money.

So can I. And as soon a George Bush tells Brown to do it, he will.

[Lounge Lizard]

Its a bloody disgrace that friends and family have to pay any postage to send to our servicemen and women any thing under a Klg outside the UK.
No politics at all in this they are the best and should be treated as such.

I've not met any friends or family of servicemen that couldn't afford the postage on a parcel.

[Barry Trotter]

My nephew was Basra for christmas two years ago and will be in Helmund this christmas.I personally dont mind paying to send him presents for christmas but then not everyone is as lucky as me to have a decent job with good pay.As a side note he is only 21 and risking his life for queen and country.Wether you believe we should be in those places or not we should be supporting our lads whilst they are away.

[saru]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... 460883.ece

Soldier’s gifts ban by postie

THE Royal Mail refused to send a parcel free to a squaddie in Afghanistan because it was a FIFTH of a gramme overweight – caused by two poppies.

Staff originally accepted the package from Darren Smith containing books and other goods.

But a week later he was informed it was over the 2kg limit.

Darren, of Swinefleet, Yorks, told yesterday how he weighed the package for son Danny, 20 – a Guardsman in the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards – and was “gobsmackedâ€

[IWW Fellow Worker]

[quote="saru"]The Royal Mail said: “We have to keep to strict weight limits.â€