Bucks MP criticises Royal Mail after recent postal delays

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Thursday, 21 April 2022 12:49

By Sam Dean

Chesham and Amersham MP, Sarah Green, has urged Ofcom to hold Royal Mail to account for the faltering service provided to her constituents.

Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Ms Green praised hard-working postal workers, but criticised Royal Mail for failing to properly address the problems when they were first raised.

The Liberal Democrat MP spoke of the shocking impact the faltering postal service has had on local people.

To the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets, Paul Scully, Sarah Green said: "One elderly constituent missed two long-awaited hospital appointments as the letters did not arrive until after the appointments were scheduled.

"Another told me that they ended up in rent arrears and debt after a delay in the delivery of a bank card. The same constituent was left without any form of identification as they waited for a new driving licence and the other identity documentation to be returned to them."

Continuing, she urged Ofcom to ensure Royal Mail are held to a minimum standard of service despite pandemic exemptions:

"I understand why Ofcom decided to grant an exemption to Royal Mail's universal service obligation, but the level of service we have been left with in places has been completely unacceptable. A few days' delay is one thing; a month's is another. If exemptions are granted, there should be an obligation to clarify what is and is not acceptable.

"Holding Royal Mail to account is desperately needed. The hard-working postal workers I have spoken to are not responsible for the backlog they are trying to clear."

Ms. Green's comments come over six months after she first raised problems with the Royal Mail in September 2021. An improvement in services was noted after her meeting with Royal Mail's Home Counties North Service Delivery Manager and visit to Amersham Delivery Office in January.

Following a more recent spate of postal delays, Sarah is due to meet with the Royal Mail again to address ongoing concerns.

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