Fines threat to Royal Mail for late deliveries

The postal regulator has told Royal Mail it must improve services after missing key performance targets, warning of possible fines if it does not improve

The postal regulator has told Royal Mail it must improve services after missing key performance targets. Picture: PA

Ofcom said the recently-privatised company missed a requirement to deliver 93 per cent of all first-class letters on the day after collection. It only managed 91.7 per cent.

The Royal Mail was also required to meet a target of 91.5 per cent of next-day delivery for first-class post in almost all of the UK’s geographic postcode areas and to provide a good level of service across the UK, not just in more densely populated areas.

In the event, Royal Mail achieved this level in only 62 per cent of the required postcode areas in the year to March 2013.

The organisation did, however, meet other targets, including one to deliver 98.5 per cent of second-class letters within three days of collection.