Record rise in the prices of the stamp

last updated 3 April 2011 at 19 ET 16: the rise of the price of a first-class stamp is a record in cash terms of higher UK shipping prices have force-with a first-class stamp now costs 46 p.

This is a record 5 p rise in the cost of sending standard letters weighing up to 100 g per first class post.

Royal Mail also increased the cost of a second-class stamp by 4 p to 36 p. a first-class, large letter stamp has risen by 9 p to 75 p, and by 7 p to 58 p for second-class mail.

A watchdog described the inflation-busting turnout as "disappointing".

Expenditure

The average UK household spends about 60 p per week on stamps, according to Royal Mail. These price increases would add 6 p to this amount, it said.

In cash terms is the emergence of 5 p, however, the highest recorded for first-class stamps.

Regulator Postcomm gave permission for the increase in November, and the plans were announced by Royal Mail a month later.

???Continue reading the main standard letters: 1st-class up to 5 p up to 46 p; 2nd-class 4 p 36 pbig letters: 1st class to 9 p to 75 p, 2nd-class 7 p to 58 pFranked mail: 1st class to 3 p for 39 p, 2nd-class to 3 p, pplots28: less than 2 kg unchanged, above 2 kg to 8%special deliveries minimum of 40 p to ￡ 5.45postcomm said the changes to Royal Mail for the funding of its modernisation programme and help safeguard measures would help the one price-goes-universal service anywhere in the United Kingdom.

Moya Greene, Royal Mail, said it had no decision has been taken lightly.

"We have carefully thought about these increases as we are aware of the difficult economic conditions facing our customers," she said.

"Nobody likes to pay more and we unfortunately, these difficult decisions on pricing. After these increases, we will continue providing value for money as our prices are still among the lowest in Europe.

"We are investing heavily for the modernisation of our activities, which is about our customers to provide the services they needed in the open, competitive postal market today.

"With the sharp declines in mail volume, our income. That means that if we do not generate more revenue, we simply will not be able to keep financing of our six-days-a-week collection, sorting, transport and delivery operation of the United Kingdom 28 million households and businesses. "

Competition

Philip Cullum, watchdog consumer Focus, said people would be extremely disappointed by the latest rise in the prices above inflation.

"Royal Mail must modernise but customers to pick up the tab. In return, will they expect to see a lot more efficient, effective and competitive service, "he said.

Royal Mail UK Tights hosiery business used to send orders of its customers.

"These costs increase as well as the VAT increase will have a direct effect on our profitability. For us there is no real alternative to Royal Mail if we send small packets of low-cost, "said Jonathan Barber, which the company with his wife Dawn has set.

"Royal Mail has no competition in this market sector. We feel that this must change. "

View the original article here