Second class letter deliveries on Saturdays could be cut

Royal Mail could be allowed to end the delivery of second class letters on Saturdays, as part of reforms being considered by the regulator.

Ofcom will assess whether changes to the second class service are needed, while first class deliveries remain at six days a week.

The regulator has been reviewing the Universal Service Obligation under which Royal Mail is required by law to deliver letters six days a week and parcels five days a week.

The number of letters sent through the post has been falling steadily for years while parcels volumes have grown, leading to losses at Royal Mail.