Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 35
35
Rejected
Review Royal Mail's readiness to deliver postal votes in annual election report
Recommendation
As part of the annual election readiness report, recommended above, the readiness and preparedness of Royal Mail to deliver postal votes and campaign materials should be reviewed. (Recommendation, Paragraph 106)
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation for an annual review of Royal Mail's preparedness, stating it already works closely with Royal Mail and that both the Electoral Commission and the Committee have concluded Royal Mail performed well, indicating no need for further regulatory intervention.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
This Government is committed to strengthening the postal and proxy voting system. Changes outlined in our Strategy for Elections will improve resilience and capacity, including adjustments to application deadlines, allowing earlier replacement of lost/ spoilt postal votes, and offering more flexibility to change voting methods. Regarding printing ballot packs on a rolling basis, this is impractical with current system capabilities. The recommendation for next-day delivery for poll cards is not viable due to an estimated £52 million additional cost. Measures for reissuing postal ballot packs and allowing electors to change voting methods are being developed, and handing in postal votes at council premises up to election day is already permitted. The Government works closely with Royal Mail on election preparedness, and both the Electoral Commission and this Committee have concluded Royal Mail performed well, indicating no need for further regulatory intervention regarding delivery standards. The Government is exploring flexible voting options, including pilot projects at local elections in May 2026 and 2027, but these will not include online voting or electronic machines. We have no plans to remove poll cards, as they are a vital communication tool.