Price of first class stamp rises to £1.80
Price of first class stamp rises to £1.80
Royal Mail has raised the cost of postal stamps again, amid growing scrutiny over its delivery performance. The new price for a first class stamp is £1.80, marking a 10p increase, while the second class rate has climbed by 4p to 91p. The company cited shifting priorities in mail volume and rising address counts as factors behind the adjustment.
Despite these reasons, many businesses and customers have voiced dissatisfaction with the price hike, which follows a series of challenges for the postal service. Only 77% of first class letters are now delivered within a single working day, falling short of the 93% target. This is the eighth price adjustment in five years, occurring as Royal Mail grapples with multiple pressures.
From 3 May, the firm increased its fuel surcharge by 5% for domestic services and 5.5% for international ones. This decision, linked to higher global energy costs driven by the Iran conflict, applies exclusively to business account holders. A spokesperson emphasized the adjustment was made cautiously, aiming to maintain competitiveness amid external cost pressures.
“Due to rising global fuel costs connected to the current Middle East situation, we’ve raised surcharges by 5% and 5.5% for domestic and international services respectively,” the statement read. “We’ve tried to keep this change as minimal as possible, and the service remains competitive.”
Consumer advocates have criticized the move, arguing that price increases should reflect service quality. Citizens Advice, in particular, highlighted concerns that the hikes were not aligned with performance metrics. Earlier this month, the company’s managing director for letters, Richard Travers, noted that price changes were evaluated carefully, balancing affordability with the rising costs of mail delivery.
Over the past few years, the cumulative effect of stamp price hikes and inconsistent delivery times has sparked frustration among postal users. In February, the Business and Trade Committee raised alarms about disruptions in some regions since Christmas, calling the situation “chaotic.” Royal Mail’s leadership addressed these concerns in March, with owner Daniel Křetínský acknowledging imperfections but expressing confidence in a proposed solution.
Recently, postal workers across the UK reported being directed to relocate or conceal mail to meet delivery targets. The company defended the practice, stating 92% of letters are delivered on time. These developments have intensified calls for accountability, with MPs expressing worry over persistent service failures. The latest adjustments now bring the cost of a first class stamp to nearly triple its 2014 rate of 64p.
