Ofcom extends second-class stamp price cap at 91p until 2028

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 14:32 · Archive

Ofcom proposes keeping the second-class stamp price cap at 91p until March 2028 while Royal Mail implements reforms.

Ofcom has proposed extending the second-class stamp price cap at 91p until March 2028, keeping the cost flat in real terms while Royal Mail works to improve its delivery service. The current cap was introduced in 2024 and linked to inflation, and is due to expire in March. The regulator said it wanted to give Royal Mail more time to implement reforms before deciding on its longer-term approach to stamp prices.

Ofcom said fewer letters are being sent, which pushes up the cost of delivering each one. The regulator stated that urgent reforms are needed to protect the future of the universal postal service. Fergal Farragher, policy director at Ofcom, said the challenges of affordability, sustainability and reliability are interconnected and must be considered together. He noted that Royal Mail's financial position is stark and that the company has been slow to implement earlier reforms, which meant Ofcom was not able to consult on the future of stamp prices earlier in the year as originally planned.

How it is being reported

• Stamp prices face fresh scrutiny as Ofcom steps in over Royal MailOfcom proposes keeping the second-class stamp price cap at 91p until March 2028. Find out why the decision has been delayed and what Royal Mail says.Oxford Mail · 16 Oct, 13:50
• Stamp prices face fresh scrutiny as Ofcom steps in over Royal MailOfcom proposes keeping the second-class stamp price cap at 91p until March 2028. Find out why the decision has been delayed and what Royal Mail says.Oxfordshire Guardian · 16 Oct, 13:50

In this story: Ofcom · Royal Mail · Fergal Farragher

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem