Exeter MP meets with Ofcom over Royal Mail ‘failures’

Exeter’s MP has met with representatives from Ofcom to call on the regulator to take greater action to address Royal Mail’s “failures”.

This meeting followed “widespread” reports to the MP that Exeter residents were receiving post late or not at all.

Steve Race, Labour MP for Exeter, attended the meeting last week with Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom chief executive, alongside MPs from across the country.

It is understood that concerns were raised around reports of staff shortages, delivery backlogs, and operational pressures within Exeter’s delivery network.

Mr Race highlighted, through the findings of a recent survey, that 98 per cent of respondents in Exeter have experienced problems with late or missing post.

Under targets set by Ofcom, Royal Mail is expected to deliver 90 per cent of first class mail by the next day, and 95 per cent of second class mail within three working days.

Recent figures show that Royal Mail delivered 81.8 per cent of first class post in the EX postcode the next working day, up from 74.4 per cent in the previous quarter, according to a spokesperson at the company.

“In an increasingly online world, it can be easy to underestimate the value of a reliable postal service,” said Mr Race.

“But when you are waiting for a new bank card, a hospital appointment, or even a card or letter from a relative, unpredictable delays can have a significant knock-on effect.

"I wanted to make sure that Ofcom, as the body that oversees Royal Mail's performance, heard directly about the impact these failures are having on people across Exeter and to seek assurances that service standards are being properly monitored and enforced.

"I will continue to push Royal Mail to improve its delivery service in Exeter, but it's clear that more intervention from Ofcom and government is necessary.”

Royal Mail has said it acknowledges that service levels in Exeter have “not been good enough”, but does say the service is “improving” and that recruitment and operational changes are having a “positive impact”.

The company has also stated to Mr Race that there are “currently no significant backlogs” and that it will continue to monitor service levels.