NALC calls on OFCOM to safeguard rural postal services

This week, we urged the Office of Communications (OFCOM) to prioritise the protection of rural postal services in response to its review of the universal service obligation.

In response to the consultation, we clarified that rural communities must not be sidelined in the proposed reforms. Thousands of parish and town councils are located in non-urban areas, and a reliable, accessible postal service is essential for residents, businesses, and local democracy.

We emphasised that Royal Mail must remain accountable and that competition from private mail providers should be maintained to drive service quality. OFCOM must acknowledge the risks to rural users in its proposals, actively protect these communities, and uphold minimum delivery standards.

In addition, we are calling on the government to back its commitment to the Sub Post Office Network, including Post Office Local and Outreach branches, by delivering realistic and sustained financial support. Finally, we reiterated our firm belief in maintaining the universality principle that a letter of a certain size can be sent to any UK address for a single, fixed price, regardless of distance.