Written question WQ84773

While Royal Mail matters are not devolved to the Welsh Government I am of course interested in any issue which has an impact on people and communities in Wales.

I am aware that the price of stamps will increase from 1 April 2022. No price increase is welcome especially when we are already seeing people struggle due to the current cost of living crisis.

Citizen’s Advice produced research published in May last year as part of Ofcom’s call for evidence for its five year postal services review. This showed that 23% of people who were already struggling found the price of posting letters and parcels to be unaffordable. The research also found that what it termed as a significant minority of people on incomes less than £11,500 – 31% went without essentials like heating or food in order to afford the cost of posting letters or parcels.

I know that Royal Mail is phasing out its current stamps and will introduce alternatives which feature a barcode for easier tracking. I also know that initially Royal Mail intended that stamps without the barcode would no longer be accepted after 31 January 2023.

I understand that Royal Mail is introducing a swap out scheme on 31 March 2022 and that customers will be able to swap non barcoded stamps for the newer, barcoded version after this date. Swap out forms will be available from Royal Mail’s website, customer services team or local delivery offices.