The cost of a first class stamp with Royal Mail has once again increased, now costing more than double what it did just five years ago in 2020. A recent survey shows that over two-thirds of Brits find the rising cost to be unfair.
The latest price hikes saw the cost of a first class stamp rise from £1.65 to £1.70, and a second class stamp increase by 2p to 87p. Additional services, such as the large first class stamp, also saw an increase from £2.60 to £3.10, while the large second class stamp remained at £1.55.
Since 2020, the cost of a first class stamp has risen eight times, starting from 76p, as per the Mirror. According to a Citizens Advice survey, a third of Brits would have difficulty affording a book of eight stamps priced at £13.60, while 16% struggle to afford a single first class stamp, and 22% find it hard to justify spending nearly £7 on a book of second class stamps. Despite the price increases, a third of people still find premium services like next-day or signed-for delivery important to ensure timely delivery of items.
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Tom MacInnes, director of policy at Citizens Advice, criticized the price hikes, stating that they disproportionately affect low-income households and older individuals who rely more on mail and are less likely to be digitally connected. Furthermore, he urged the regulator Ofcom to take action to balance the price increases with service quality.
In response to the criticism, a Royal Mail spokeswoman highlighted that the average UK household spends less than £7 annually on stamps and emphasized the option to send letters second class for just 87p nationwide. The spokeswoman also pointed out the extensive network and resources required for nationwide mail delivery, highlighting the necessity to maintain a universal service for all UK addresses.
The ongoing debate raises questions about the fairness of Royal Mail’s pricing and its impact on different demographic groups, urging consumers to consider the value of postal services amid increasing costs.