Delivery charge worries

ISLES MP Alistair Carmichael has pledged to fight for the universal postal service to be retained, after proposals to let the Royal Mail increase delivery charges for remote areas were aired.

Mr Carmichael has written to postal affairs minister Ed Davey to alert him of the pitfalls for remote communities of an option proposed by regulator Ofcom to give the Royal Mail “full commercial freedom to determine contracts with large companies and other postal providers”.

Some observers noted that this could potentially lead to higher prices in hard-to-reach locations, the MP said.

“There is an obvious need for steps to be taken to secure the future of the universal service and the measures in the Postal Services Bill will go a long way towards putting the company back on a sustainable footing,” he said.

“Nevertheless, we need to be careful to ensure that changes do not impact negatively on people and businesses who rely on special delivery and other Royal Mail services on a daily basis.”