Ofcom recently confirmed a landmark reform to the Universal Postal Service, creating a more sustainable and customer-focused delivery model. Already in effect, the changes will retain six-day First Class letter deliveries, while Second Class letters will move to three-day-a-week delivery (Monday to Friday, alternate days). Parcel services remain unchanged.
The reforms aim to protect the one-price-goes-anywhere principle while improving efficiency and better reflecting how people send and receive mail today. They follow an extensive consultation, with over 7,000 responses from postal users, businesses, and consumer groups.
New quality of service targets will take effect from April 2026. First Class on-time delivery will now be measured at 90% within one working day, while Second Class will be targeted at 95% within three working days. To maintain reliability, a new “tail of mail” measure requires 99% of First Class letters to arrive within three days, and 99% of Second Class within five days.
In addition, a new D+3 access product for bulk mail will be introduced, regulated in a similar way to existing D+2 services. Saturday delivery will be removed from slower D+5 services.
Ofcom will closely monitor implementation and is establishing a stakeholder forum to keep the industry informed and engaged as these reforms mark the most significant change to the Universal Postal Service in decades.
For more information about how these changes may impact you get in touch!
