Royal Mail: Universal Service Obligation Debate

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Department: Department for Business and Trade

Royal Mail: Universal Service Obligation

Laurence Turner Excerpts
Wednesday 11th March 2026

(1 day, 10 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Blair McDougall Portrait Blair McDougall
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We rely on Ofcom as the regulator of Royal Mail, which is exactly why we are having a meeting later today to discuss what more it can do to deal with the widespread concerns that exist across the House about the quality of service.

Laurence Turner Portrait Laurence Turner (Birmingham Northfield) (Lab)
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It is clear that the NHS barcode prioritisation system broke down, but the problem is not limited to NHS letters. I want to highlight the Government’s Tell Us Once service following a bereavement. Many hon. Members will know the urgency and distressing nature of that correspondence, so will the Minister—who has been extremely active in dealing with constituency concerns—look at the issue of prioritisation of non-NHS letters?

Blair McDougall Portrait Blair McDougall
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In a previous life, I was very proud to have worked on the Tell Us Once service at its inception, and I know how important that service is to people at the worst possible time of their life. I will certainly raise the issue that my hon. Friend has highlighted.