Royal Mail takeover and fine: Jardine slams Royal Mail mismanagement in Edinburgh West

Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine has criticised repeated delays in postal delivery across the area, calling for the new owner to put services for communities first.

Ofcom’s fine of £10.5 million is almost double last year’s, which was issued due to similar problems. It comes as more than a quarter of all first-class mail arrived late in the year to March 2024.

The Government has now approved Royal Mail’s takeover by billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, who has promised to keep the institution’s HQ in the UK for five years, prompting concerns that he may not honour that commitment after five years. 

The poor performance follows the closures of a number of Customer Service Points across the country and concerns that the Universal Service Obligation will change, making it harder for people to get important letters on time.

 Ms Jardine called on the new ownership to “work night and day” to turn the situation in Edinburgh West around, and reassure her constituents that there will be no more cuts to service levels.

Christine Jardine, MP for Edinburgh West, said:

“Thousands of my constituents across Edinburgh West depend on Royal Mail services every single day.

“But despite the efforts of our hardworking postal staff, many residents are being badly let down - from delays in receiving information about vital appoints to sending Christmas presents to loved ones.

“It’s extremely disappointing that Royal Mail has been found in breach of its delivery targets, and I am incredibly concerned that the watering down of services is still on the table. 

"The Universal Service Obligation is critical for communities across Scotland, where it can take longer to deliver letters and parcels, and is vital for many vulnerable people who rely on physical documents. After years of cuts to other postal services, my constituents need clarity.

“Royal Mail’s incoming owner must work night and day to turn things around and end the cuts in services my constituents are facing. Ministers and Royal Mail executives must be held to account so that local communities come first.”