Ofcom plans to cap second-class stamp prices until 2028 after Royal Mail's 'unacceptable' delivery failures

Royal Mail has racked up more than £37 million in fines over three years for missing delivery targets. Only 85% of first-class letters arrived the next working day, well below the 90% threshold. Ofcom's Fergal Farragher described the company as 'slow' to implement reforms. Its union estimates around 400 postal workers quit every week in the period leading up to Christmas.

At 91p, second-class stamp prices would be tied to inflation under the proposed cap, running until March 2028.

Royal Mail has pushed through seven stamp price increases in four years.

First-class stamps, now £1.80, carry no cap — something Citizens Advice is calling for.