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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed reduction of 10,000 full-time equivalent staff at Royal Mail on their commitment to a universal six-day-a-week postal service; and if he will make a statement.

The Government’s objective continues to be ensuring the provision of a financially sustainable, accessible and affordable universal postal service. The Government has no current plans to change the statutory minimum requirements of the universal postal service which are set out in the Postal Services Act 2011.

Under the Postal Services Act 2011 Ofcom regulates the provision of the UK’s universal postal service, ensuring it meets the needs of users, while also considering Royal Mail’s financial sustainability and efficiency. Ofcom will publish its annual monitoring update on the postal market later this year. This report will cover market developments, consumers’ experiences of postal services, and Royal Mail’s performance in delivering the universal postal service. Ofcom will continue to monitor Royal Mail’s ability to deliver its statutory commitments.