The Royal Mail has existed as a trusted national brand since the time of Henry VIII. It revolutionised communications in the Victorian era with the “penny post” – delivering promptly to anywhere in the country.
Its business has changed more in the last 20 years than in the preceding century with the email-induced collapse in letter writing. I receive thousands of approaches from constituents but unlike all my predecessors over 95 per cent are now by email. The Royal Mail delivered seven billion letters in 2022/3 which is a third of its total in 2000.
It is though a service on which we continue to rely. Their request for a more relaxed “universal service obligation” has been rejected as we continue to value a reliable, punctual postal service alongside their burgeoning parcels business.
I know many constituents have been frustrated by delays to deliveries in recent months. I insisted when I visited the Horsham Delivery Office pre-Christmas that I get a further update on progress on recruitment – staffing being their single biggest issue. I am pleased that they have taken on and retained 18 new entrants this year and service levels in the Horsham area are really improving - though there is still work to do in the Crawley area.
I am pleased that progress has been made in Horsham and I will continue to monitor Royal Mail’s efforts to get on top of postal delays elsewhere in the constituency. Please do continue to let me know however when you have felt let down by the service.
Although the Royal Mail and the Post Office are separate companies, the Post Office has a similarly important role in the national psyche. Sub-postmasters, like our “posties”, have a valued role. The impact of the Horizon scandal on respected members of the community is hugely upsetting.
As I write former sub-postmaster Alan Bates is giving evidence at the Public Inquiry which has been ongoing for two years. Former Post Office and Fujitsu bosses will soon appear before it as well as Ministers from that period. While we cannot undo the damage that has been done, I look forward to the Inquiry unravelling the full truth of the scandal and ensuring there is redress.