Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent discussions he has had with Ofcom on any regulatory changes in regard to the Universal Postal Service; and if he will make a statement.

Ministers and officials in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills meet with officials from Ofcom, the independent regulator for postal services, on a regular basis to discuss a broad range of market issues. There have not been any specific discussions about regulatory changes to the universal service.

The minimum requirements for the universal postal service, which includes among other things, the 6 day a week postal service to all addresses in the UK – rural and urban – at an affordable and uniform rate, are enshrined and protected in primary legislation – the Postal Services Act 2011. These minimum requirements can only be changed by Government with the approval of both houses of Parliament.

This Government has no plans for making any changes to the minimum requirements.