Fury at Royal Mail as Christmas playing cards to reach ‘as late as February’

Christmas playing cards could possibly be arriving as late as February after the Royal Mail was accused of ‘not prioritising’ them. 

As Christmas Day looms ever nearer, households might be anxious to know when their parcels and playing cards might be delivered to family members.

Last month, an investigation by the Mail discovered that solely 108 out of 140 letters posted to addresses all around the nation arrived on time. 

Now, a ballot by The Telegraph has discovered that 49 per cent of respondents had skilled delays this 12 months and 48 per cent mentioned service had deteriorated.

Martyn James, a shopper skilled, informed the paper: ‘Every single particular person I communicate to tells me how poor their postal service has grow to be within the final 12 months. Many are experiencing big delays, with some folks reporting deliveries solely arriving in clumps weeks after posting. 

Christmas playing cards could possibly be arriving as late as February because of Royal Mail ‘not prioritsing’ them [Stock image]

The Royal Mail was fined in 2022-23 after solely 73.7 per cent of first-class mail was delivered on time [Stock image]

‘By far the most important grievance is the missed appointment. With big delays for operations, check-ups, well being assessments and dental work, a late letter can imply the distinction between getting a probably severe medical situation assessed and handled to going to the again of a really lengthy queue once more.’ 

To add to this, the Royal Mail has been accused of prioritising parcels over letters as they’re extra worthwhile.

This has meant letters might arrive to their vacation spot as late as February, in response to trade sources. 

The festive interval has lengthy been the Royal Mail’s busiest time of the 12 months, however final month it reported a £319m loss for the primary six months of 2023-24 after being hit by strikes.

And with Saturday being the final day that put up can arrive, there may be rising worry over important delays.

Under Ofcom’s guidelines, Royal Mail has to ship 93 per cent of first-class mail inside one working day and 98.5 per cent of second-class mail inside three working days.

It was fined for lacking these targets in 2022-23 when solely 73.7 per cent of first-class mail was delivered on time and 90.7 per cent of second class.

The £5.6 million positive comes after Royal Mail prevented punishment through the Covid pandemic. In 2018-19, it was fined £1.5 million.

The postal service blamed the poor supply occasions on a ‘uniquely difficult’ 12 months [Stock image] 

The postal service blamed the poor supply occasions on a ‘uniquely difficult’ 12 months when there was a long-running industrial dispute.

A spokesman for Royal Mail mentioned: ‘[We] wish to reassure clients that the overwhelming majority of mail continues to be delivered on time. 

‘According to our newest revealed knowledge, three-quarters of first-class mail arrives the next day, and 96 per cent inside three of posting.’