The Know Daily - Wednesday 24 January 2024

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Pets can no longer be given out as prizes at funfairs in Wales, after all 22 councils in the country outlawed the controversial practice. The news follows an RSPCA campaign called “No Fun At The Fair”, which is now calling on the Welsh government to introduce an outright ban. 

📮 Royal Mail shake-up

Royal Mail could be allowed to cut delivery days from six per week to just three as part of a series of cost-saving options outlined by Ofcom, the industry regulator.

So the post wouldn’t arrive from Monday to Saturday?
That’s right. Letters and parcels sent via Royal Mail currently get “delivered nationwide, six days a week, for a fixed price” under something called the universal service obligation (USO), said The Guardian.

Now Ofcom has released a “much-anticipated review” of the postal service, laying out a series of options for the future of the USO and Royal Mail in general. 

What are some of the options?
Reducing the number of days a week that the post is delivered is the main one. In its report, Ofcom estimated that cutting delivery days from six to five could save the company between £100-200m, while cutting postal days to three a week could save up to £650m.

Ofcom suggested making a change which could see most letters “delivered through a service taking up to three days or longer, with a next-day service still available for any urgent letters”, explained Sky News.

Why does Royal Mail need reforming?
Over the years, the volume of letters being sent has plummeted while costs have gone up, and Royal Mail has said that it is “simply not sustainable” to maintain its current delivery network. The company was fined £5.5m by Ofcom just before Christmas because of missing delivery targets.

What has the response been?
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has said that a three-day delivery service would “destroy” Royal Mail and impact tens of thousands of jobs. Its general secretary has ruled out supporting the proposal.

Anything else I should know?
The CWU “may find unlikely support from the Conservative government in Downing Street”, said Sky News.

Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson indicated earlier this week that the PM is not in favour of relaxing the company’s six-day delivery commitment - and a change to the USO would “require primary legislation, and a vote by MPs in the Commons”, pointed out The Guardian.