Greeting Card Association (GCA) members today (Nov 26) launched a ‘use it or lose it’ campaign by demonstrating at local high street pillar boxes
The genteel direct action coincided with the appearance of the business secretary and post office minister at a select committee hearing, and aims to ensure Royal Mail reforms proposed by Ofcom get formal parliamentary scrutiny, and are not implemented through a back door deal.
In October Royal Mail raised the price of a first-class stamp from £1.35 to £1.65 – an inflation-busting 22% increase, which was the fifth hike in less than three years.
A first-class stamp is now almost twice the price of a second-class stamp, which remains affordable at 85p because it has the protection of being pegged to inflation by regulator Ofcom.
The GCA said it feared the rise could result in killing off affordable letters post for good.
GCA members are uniting to ensure their voice is heard right across the UK – one member, David Falkner of Cardology even took a post box from his design studio near Croydon to parliament and created a video of the journey.
Those taking part include high street and online retailers, publishers and designers.
Amanda Fergusson, GCA CEO, said: “Business owners and customers alike need an affordable and reliable postal service across the UK – but Royal Mail and Ofcom’s plans could mean this was taken from them for good.”
“Our members are concerned that the planned shake-up of the service, which could happen without any parliamentary scrutiny, could create a further spiral of decline which could ultimately result in Royal Mail calling time on an affordable second-class stamp.
“Our members rely on the postal service for deliveries and they, and their customers do not want to be left with a premium, uncapped, unregulated first-class stamp beyond their financial reach.
“We ask that politicians from all sides review the plans and ensure the needs of small businesses and consumers are considered.”
