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Universal Service Obligation: Rural Areas

Asked by Mr Angus MacDonaldLiberal DemocratDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 16 July 2025UIN 66498

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to ensure that the Universal Service Obligation applies to rural areas.

Answered by Justin Madders

The government is committed to a sustainable universal postal service for users throughout the UK, including maintaining the one-price-goes anywhere principle including for those in remote and rural areas.

It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to set and monitor Royal Mail’s service standards and decide how to use its powers to investigate and take enforcement action should Royal Mail fail to achieve its obligations without good justification.

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