Concern over mail delivery service 27/6/14
MP Angus MacNeil says he is worried over the Royal Mail’s submission for an early review of the workings of competition in postal services and the threat to the universal service are a further worrying development.
The universal service obligation (USO) ensures letters are delivered to island homes at the same postage price as on the mainland.
Local MP Mr MacNeil opposed the privatisation of Royal Mail and has repeatedly stated that the introduction of competition into the postal market results in cherry picking of the most profitable areas of the service at the expense of the Hebrides and other rural parts of Scotland.
Angus MacNeil said: “People right throughout the islands have regularly contacted me in large numbers expressing concern over the future of postal services.
“The service is coming under threat because competitors are cherry picking easy, profitable urban and business mail services and are expanding rapidly in such areas. This undermines the ability of Royal Mail, the only company obliged to do so, to deliver the Universal Service Obligation.
“Royal Mail themselves say that the planned review in 2015 may well be too late to protect the service which shows how far things have gone since privatisation. The only remedy that is available is for Ofcom to look at the service, but in terms of the Act they then must make recommendations to the Secretary of State.
“It is important to realise that they are not obliged to make recommendations to cut back on private business but could make recommendations, for example, to reduce the terms of the USO.
“The Scottish Government have made clear that the Universal Service is so important to Scotland that we would bring the Royal Mail service in Scotland back into public ownership under independence.
“The importance of this is clearer than ever today and only a Yes vote can now protect this vital public service.”