Written question WQ86437
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Social Justice
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
What assessment has the Minister made of the financial impact on the people of Wales of the transition from the old postal stamps to the new barcoded ones?
Answer
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Partnership
I expect there to be a negligible financial impact resulting from the transition to barcoded stamps. People in Wales have until 31 January 2023 to use any unbarcoded, first and second class, standard issue stamps. Special edition stamps are not affected by this change.
Anyone who has left over stamps after this date can use Royal Mail’s stamp swap out scheme which allows customers to swap non barcoded stamps for the newer, barcoded version.
Swap out forms are available from Royal Mail’s website, customer services team (03457 740740), or local delivery offices. The forms should be sent to Freepost Swap Out with the old stamps attached. New stamps to the same value will then be provided.
There is a slightly different process for individuals or businesses which have over £200 in stamps to swap. Royal Mail advises these individuals to use the Bulk Stamp Swap Out form and use a secure service to return these for swapping. This process will have a small cost attached.