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Postal Services: Universal Service Obligation

Asked by Jen CraftLabourDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 16 December 2025UIN 99398

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with Royal Mail on reforming the Universal Service Obligation.

Answered by Blair McDougall

Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider.

Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, has a duty to secure the provision of a financially sustainable and efficient universal postal service that meets the reasonable needs of users and it is permitted to make limited changes to its regulation accordingly.

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