More than 100 postcodes across the United Kingdom are experiencing fresh postal delays, prompting a formal intervention from MPs. The Business and Trade Committee has written to Royal Mail\u2019s chief executive seeking urgent clarification over the reported disruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cross-party group says it has \u201csignificant concerns\u201d about the standard of service currently being provided. Allegations that letters may be deliberately withheld until enough items accumulate for a single address have intensified political pressure on the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Business and Trade Committee, made up of 11 cross-party MPs<\/strong> and chaired by Liam Byrne, has contacted Royal Mail chief executive Alistair Cochrane this week. According to the committee, the correspondence raises \u201csignificant concerns about the quality of the postal service being provided by Royal Mail<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Central to the MPs\u2019 concerns are allegations of a practice referred to as \u201cbatching\u201d. According to the committee, this would involve holding back mail until sufficient items are ready for delivery to a single address. The committee warned that, if true, such a practice risks customers missing time-sensitive information<\/strong>, including medical appointment letters, while also affecting Royal Mail<\/a>\u2019s reported delivery performance. In its statement, the committee said the alleged batching \u201cclearly risks customers missing important time-sensitive information such as medical appointments<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Royal Mail has responded publicly to the criticism. A spokesperson said: \u201cWe understand how frustrating it is when post does not arrive as expected, and we want to reassure customers that the vast majority of mail is delivered as planned<\/em>.\u201d The company has not, in the material released, addressed the specific allegation of batching but has sought to reassure customers about overall performance levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAreas affected across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n