Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with Royal Mail on the issue of counterfeit stamps; and whether the Government is taking steps to tackle the potential risk to customers.

The operation of Royal Mail’s products and services, including measures to tackle counterfeit stamps, is a matter for the company’s management and the Government is not involved in Royal Mail’s operational decisions.

Royal Mail has published advice for consumers on identifying and reporting stamp fraud on its website: www.royalmail.com/report-stamp-fraud.

Royal Mail also introduced barcoded stamps earlier this year as part of its modernisation drive. Newly issued stamps will have an associated unique barcode which will help facilitate operational efficiencies whilst also enabling added security features to help tackle stamp fraud. More information on barcoded stamps is available on Royal Mail’s website: www.royalmail.com/sending/barcoded-stamps.