Instead, second-class letters will be posted every other weekday going forward.
Regulator Ofcom said it had given the green light to Royal Mail to axe the six-day-a-week service for second-class letters but that it must keep Monday to Saturday deliveries for first-class post.
It said this would mean it would maintain the target for second-class letters to arrive within three working days despite allowing deliveries on alternate weekdays instead.
Why is Royal Mail making a change to the way it delivers second-class post?
The changes can take effect from today and come after a lengthy consultation that will help Royal Mail cut costs by between £250 million and £425 million a year, according to Ofcom.
Royal Mail isn’t expected to push through the overhaul to all second-class letter deliveries across the UK from this month but will look to roll it out over the next 12 to 18 months, having already launched pilots in 37 of its 1,200 delivery offices.
The plans have received fierce criticism from consumer and business groups and there were also trade union concerns.
Ofcom said reform of the so-called universal service was needed to help it “survive” as people send far fewer letters and as the cost of stamps has been soaring.
It also said it was launching a review of the price of stamps amid concerns over affordability, with a consultation set for next year.
Targets would be lowered for first-class post to be delivered the next day from 93% to 90% and second-class to be delivered within three days from 98.5% to 95%.
However, Ofcom said it was adding a new “enforceable” backstop delivery target so that 99% of mail has to be delivered no more than two days late.
Natalie Black, Ofcom’s group director for networks and communications, said: “These changes are in the best interests of consumers and businesses, as urgent reform of the postal service is necessary to give it the best chance of survival.
“But changing Royal Mail’s obligations alone won’t guarantee a better service – the company now has to play its part and implement this effectively.”
A brief history of Royal Mail
Martin Seidenberg, chief executive of Royal Mail parent firm International Distribution Services (IDS), welcomed the move from Ofcom, having long urged the government for reform of the universal service.
He said: “It is good news for customers across the UK as it supports the delivery of a reliable, efficient and financially sustainable universal service.”
On what days does Royal Mail deliver post?
Royal Mail said it aims to deliver post “by 4:30pm every working day (Monday to Saturday), except in remote areas like the Highlands and Islands of Scotland where transport is limited.”
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It added: “We also make some scheduled parcel deliveries later which can include deliveries in the evening.
“These parcel deliveries can include Sundays with some geographical exceptions.”
Royal Mail doesn’t deliver post on bank holidays or local holidays.
