Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with Ofcom on the comparative (a) employment practices and (b) delivery of delivery companies excluding Royal Mail; and what plans he has to ensure similar standards to those applied to Royal Mail to improve delivery outcomes.

Ministers and officials meet with Ofcom regularly to discuss a range of issues in relation to its role as the independent regulator for the postal sector.

Delivery companies are independent businesses, and the government has no role in their operational decisions. Ofcom does not regulate the employment models of delivery companies.

The Government will consult on the topic of employment status generally, as soon as possible in the New Year.

Delivery targets covering all postal operators would be a decision for Ofcom to consider as part of its reviews of postal regulation.