Competition in the UK Postal Services Sector
The Government expects that users of postal services will benefit from increasing competition in the postal services market, chiefly by:
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the greater choice, increased quality and keener prices for consumers;
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increased efficiency in Royal Mail as competitive pressures cause it to adjust its costs and services to respond to customer needs and a rapidly changing market place.
However, the introduction of competition is subject to ensuring the continued provision of the universal postal service and the Postal Services Act 2000 has placed a primary duty on Postcomm to act to ensure the continued provision of a universal postal service. Within this framework Postcomm has the responsibility for the introduction of competition in the UK postal services market.
On the 1st January 2006 the UK's mail market was fully liberalised – that is, opened up for competition. This means Royal Mail no longer enjoys the statutory monopoly it held for 350 years. New operators licensed by Postcomm can now collect and deliver any mail, from any customers. A summary, and copies of any related consultations and documents can be found on the competition section of the Postcomm website. If you have any questions on competition or on the liberalisation of the UK postal services sector then you should contact Postcomm.
Related website link
® Postcomm -
http://www.postcomm.gov.uk/competition.html