Does Size Matter To You?

At the moment the price of the stamp depends only on the weight of the letter. Royal Mail claims it costs more to sort, handle and deliver big envelopes and packets.

These proposals will potentially have a major impact on domestic and business customers and, customers in the voluntary and public sectors. For some, like those receiving photographic films for processing, it could be disastrous. For those sending brochures and company reports it could reduce postage costs.

As part of its public consultation into the proposed changes, the industry regulator Postcomm has linked up with Postwatch, the consumer watchdog for postal services, to produce a leaflet ‘Does size matter to you?’ which explains the proposed changes.

For those who mainly post items in C5 envelopes weighing less than 100g they would be winners under the new proposals. But for those who post lightweight C4 envelopes or lightweight packets, they will be the losers as a C4 item that currently costs 21p would rise to 38p and a lightweight packet that currently costs 21p would rise to 81p.

Tom Begg, Chairman of Postwatch Scotland, said: “If allowed, this will be a profound adjustment for customers, in particular businesses. It requires an important change to the way customers think about posting. The Regulator is right to be cautious and to consult widely, before deciding on such radical alterations to current practice.

“The Postwatch and Postcomm leaflet is clear and informative and will help customers understand what is being suggested. They will be able to make their own calculations based upon current costs and proposed costs. It will then be up to customers to let Postcomm know what they think of the proposed changes.

“Copies of the leaflet are available by calling Postwatch’s helpline on 08456 013265.”

Notes for Editors:

Royal Mail has suggested three size categories:

• A letter is mail that would fit into an envelope 165mm x 240mm (approx 6½in x 9½in) and not more than 5mm (approx. 3/16 in) thick. (C5)
• A large letter is mail that would fit into an envelope 353mm x 250mm (approx 9¾in x 14 in) and not more than 10mm (approx. 3/8 in) thick. (C4)
• A packet is mail that either measures more than 353mm x 250mm or is thicker than 10mm.