Ofcom has recently announced reforms to the Universal Service that will allow Royal Mail to reduce the frequency of second-class post deliveries.

In its statement on 10 July, the regulator said the changes are designed to give postal users greater protection from extended delays, while helping Royal Mail enhance service reliability and ensure long-term sustainability.

Under the current Universal Service Obligation, in place since 2011, Royal Mail is required to deliver both First and Second Class letters, six days a week.

What’s changing?

From July 28, 2025, Royal Mail will no longer deliver second‑class letters on Saturdays. Instead, deliveries will occur on alternate weekdays, e.g., Monday/Wednesday/Friday one week, then Tuesday/Thursday the next – while still meeting the standard of delivery within three working days.

Why now?

Letter volumes have dropped dramatically from 14.3 billion in 2011-12 to just 6.6 billion in 2023-24, making the six-day-a-week universal service unsustainable. 

The regulator stated: “Urgent reform is needed for the universal service to survive. To put the service on a more sustainable footing, to prevent people from paying higher prices than necessary, and to push Royal Mail to improve reliability, Ofcom has today made changes to the obligations imposed on the company.” 

“This follows public consultation with thousands of people and organisations – including consumer groups, unions, small businesses, public services, Royal Mail and the wider postal industry, as well as postal users directly – from right across the UK.”

Ofcom expects this change to save Royal Mail between £250  – £425 million, annually.

Updated Delivery Targets & Pricing Review

 Ofcom has relaxed delivery promises:

• First-class next-day delivery target reduced from 93% → 90% 
• Second-class within-three-days target reduced from 98.5% → 95% 
• A new ‘backstop’ rule mandates 99% of mail arrive no more than two days late 

At the same time, Ofcom has launched a review of stamp pricing to address rising costs for consumers.