| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Report - The regulation of postal services | HC 131 | 22 May 2026 | 9 | Overdue |
If such a restriction on disclosing information to Parliament exists in legislation, this Committee’s strong view is that this should be amended. (Conclusion, Paragraph 12)
We have not heard persuasive evidence to refute the previous Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee’s finding that Royal Mail has deprioritised delivery of letters. (Conclusion, Paragraph 14)
We urge Ofcom to investigate this as a matter of urgency. (Recommendation, Paragraph 15)
There are many reasons for Royal Mail’s persistent poor performance and today it is a private company, operating in a market that has changed beyond recognition in the 13 years since privatisation. Ofcom however is directly accountable to Parliament, and through Parliament to the public, for ensuring the nation’s postal … Read more
We are concerned that Ofcom’s regulatory approach has for years now failed to bring about the required step change in Royal Mail’s performance. Three consecutive years of fines and a demand for an “urgent” improvement plan were not enough, as both short-term improvements and long-term USO reform became ensnared in … Read more
Beyond the immediate concerns with Royal Mail, we also have growing concerns that Ofcom is not up to the job of regulating a postal market that is growing in competition and complexity. Much of the mail that our constituents rely on, from hospital appointments to energy bills, falls outside the … Read more
Ofcom must deliver better regulation of the postal market. It should produce a clear roadmap for achieving this which sets out the statutory and non-statutory tools Ofcom currently has at its disposal, and how it intends to use these to bring about demonstrable improvements in public satisfaction with postal services. … Read more
We respect Ofcom’s operational independence, and in the first instance it should be for the regulator itself to reform its approach. However, Ofcom is ultimately given its remit by Parliament. This remit can be changed. (Conclusion, Paragraph 22)
If the improvement plan we have recommended fails to deliver meaningful change within six months of this Report, the Secretary of State should consult on statutory changes to Ofcom’s duties and/or powers, to ensure it is fit for the 21st-century postal market. As a first step, the Secretary of State … Read more
| Date | Witnesses | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Mar 2026 | Alistair Cochrane · Royal Mail, Daniel Křetínský · EP Holding, Dave Ward · Communication Workers Union, Fergal Farragher · Ofcom, Ian Strawhorne · Ofcom, Martin Walsh · Communication Workers Union, Natalie Black · Ofcom, Ricky McAulay · Royal Mail | View ↗ |
| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Alistair Cochrane · Chief Executive Officer | Royal Mail | 1 |
| Daniel Křetínský · Chairman | EP Holding | 1 |
| Dave Ward · General Secretary | Communication Workers Union | 1 |
| Fergal Farragher · Director, Infrastructure and Connectivity | Ofcom | 1 |
| Ian Strawhorne · Director, Enforcement | Ofcom | 1 |
| Martin Walsh · Deputy General Secretary (Postal) | Communication Workers Union | 1 |
| Natalie Black · Group Director for Infrastructure and Connectivity | Ofcom | 1 |
| Ricky McAulay · UK Operations Director | Royal Mail | 1 |
| Date | Direction | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Jul 2026 | To cttee | Letter from Ofcom relating to the Committee's Report on the Regulation of posta… |
| 16 Jun 2026 | To cttee | Letter from Ofcom relating to the Committee's report on regulation of postal se… |
| 19 May 2026 | — | Additional written evidence from CWU on Royal Mail |
| 19 May 2026 | From cttee | Letter to Royal Mail relating to mail delivery performance, 30 April 2026 |
| 19 May 2026 | To cttee | Letter from Royal Mail relating to information requested in the letter of 30 Ap… |
| 19 May 2026 | To cttee | Letter from Citizens Advice relating to Royal Mail session, 18 May 2026 |
| 22 Apr 2026 | To cttee | Letter from Royal Mail relating to the Quality of Service Improvement Plan for … |
| 15 Apr 2026 | To cttee | Letter from the Communication Workers Union relating to the Committee's letter … |
| 15 Apr 2026 | To cttee | Letter from the Chief Executive of Ofcom relating to the Committee's letter of … |
| 15 Apr 2026 | To cttee | Letter from EP Group relating to the Committee's letter of 27 March on the acqu… |
| 15 Apr 2026 | To cttee | Letter from Royal Mail relating to the Committee's letter of 27 March following… |
| 27 Mar 2026 | From cttee | Letter to Ofcom relating to the Committee's evidence session on Royal Mail, 27 … |
| 27 Mar 2026 | From cttee | Letter to Royal Mail and EP Group relating to the Committee's evidence session … |
| 27 Mar 2026 | From cttee | Letter to Communication Workers Union relating to the Committee's evidence sess… |
| 27 Mar 2026 | From cttee | Letter to EP Group relating to the acquisition of Royal Mail, 27 March 2026 |