LONDON, United Kingdom (February 16) — Royal Mail is facing mounting backlash over missed delivery rounds and letters left undelivered for weeks, with the company citing adverse weather and higher-than-usual sick absence as the primary causes.
Why are letters not being delivered?
Reports from more than a dozen Royal Mail postal staff at different delivery offices indicate that rounds are being missed on a daily basis. Some letters have been left undelivered for weeks, according to the BBC, which cited internal staff reports.
The consumer watchdog Citizens Advice found the service failed to deliver letters and cards on time to approximately 16 million people over the Christmas period.
What is Royal Mail saying about the delays?
Royal Mail attributed the “short-term disruption to certain routes” to a combination of factors. The company specifically cited “adverse weather, including storms Goretti, Ingrid and Chandra in January, alongside higher than usual sick absence.”
“Where a delay affects a route, we work to resolve it as quickly as possible by putting in extra support and reviewing performance daily to restore deliveries as quickly as possible,” the company said in a statement.
Are parcels being prioritized over letters?
Royal Mail workers have claimed parcel deliveries are being prioritized over letters. The company has previously denied this practice but acknowledged that parcels account for more of its deliveries. Parcels take up significantly more space in depots and vans than letters.
Royal Mail noted that large volumes of parcels can pile up quickly and create health and safety risks at depots if not moved promptly.
Who owns Royal Mail now?
The delays come almost a year after the £3.6bn takeover of Royal Mail’s parent company, International Distribution Services (IDS). Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský completed the acquisition in 2025. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) initially favored the takeover over retaining the former board as the deal was being finalized.
However, the union has since expressed frustration with the new ownership.
What is the union saying about the crisis?
Craig Anderson, a CWU regional official, told the BBC that Royal Mail was “a company in crisis.”
“I’m not confident that the service is going to improve going forward, it certainly hasn’t since Christmas,” Anderson said. The CWU was approached for further comment.
How bad is the situation really?
IDS told investors this month that Royal Mail had delivered 99% of overall items on time in the final three months of last year. Revenue in that period rose by 1.6% compared with the same time last year to £2.4bn.
The company delivered 424m parcels, up 8% from the previous year. However, the number of addressed letters dropped 9% to 1.5bn, even with the Christmas card boom.
Has Royal Mail been fined for poor service?
Yes. In October, the regulator Ofcom fined Royal Mail £21m for missing its annual delivery targets as per repoprts. This was the third time the 509-year-old postal service was fined by the watchdog.
It represents the third-biggest financial penalty Ofcom has issued to any company.
What changes have been made to postal services?
- In July, Ofcom gave IDS permission to end second-class post on Saturdays.
- The service will now operate on alternating weekdays from Monday to Friday.
- The cost of a first-class stamp has more than doubled since 2020, rising to £1.70.
- A second-class stamp currently costs 87p.
How are customers being affected?
Households and businesses across the UK are reporting frustration with unreliable service. Some are waiting weeks for mail that was expected within days of posting. The combination of missed rounds, delayed letters, and rising stamp prices has intensified scrutiny on the privatized service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long are Royal Mail letter delays lasting?
A: According to reports from postal staff, some letters have been left undelivered for weeks in certain areas, with delivery rounds being missed on a daily basis.
Q: Why is Royal Mail prioritizing parcels over letters?
A: The company states that parcels account for a larger portion of its deliveries and take up more space. Staff claims of prioritization have been made, and Royal Mail acknowledges that large parcel volumes can create health risks if not moved quickly.
Q: What storms caused the recent disruption?
A: Royal Mail specifically named storms Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra, which occurred in January, as adverse weather events that contributed to service disruption.
Q: How much has Royal Mail been fined for missing targets?
A: In October, Ofcom fined Royal Mail £21m for missing its annual delivery targets. This is the third time the regulator has fined the company.
Q: Will the service improve?
A: The CWU has expressed doubt, with its regional official stating he is “not confident” the service will improve going forward.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
