MP's fears for 'British institution' as she slams Royal Mail for 'conscious decision' to reduce postal deliveries
There is a “conscious decision” by Royal Mail to reduce the number of postal deliveries – and the takeover of the national institution by a foreign company raises “legitimate questions about sovereignty”, an Alliance MP has said.
Sorcha Eastwood has hit out at the management of the postal service – saying members of the public have been contacting her for months over late letters for hospital appointments, driving licences and invoices.
The Lagan Valley MP says the service is “a British institution” – and criticised the government for not keeping it in UK hands, saying that the Labour administration has “no sense of self”.
Royal Mail says it expects the situation to improve as it recruits more staff, and is working hard to “restore” the service in Ms Eastwood’s constituency.
But the Alliance politician says that it is now clear that late deliveries “are not just a one-off” – and is a “conscious decision”.
“I have it on good authority that many workers are deeply concerned about the post they see, piling up and are so short staffed many are going without toilet breaks to try and keep to schedule.
“Royal Mail and International Distribution Services under Kretinsky & EP Group have predicated this failing business model on fewer posties, less deliveries and absolutely shocking standards of delivery.
“Many people have been contacting me for months about late letters for hospital appointments, driving licences or invoices. It is really disturbing and concerning because part of ownership is meeting the Universal Service Obligation.
“For the first time its once illustrious 500 year old history, Royal Mail will be owned by an overseas company.
“Despite the Government waving through his takeover of Royal Mail, there are still legitimate questions about sovereignty and despite going through the National Security and Investment Act, this just seems typical of a government that's lost it's way, happy to outsource absolutely everything retaining little control over critical national infrastructure. We must be self reliant in core areas and communications is one of those areas.
“We don't want to lose our Royal Mail, it is a British institution and it is clear the new private owners haven't taken good care of it. Even on issues such as changing postboxes - I will fight to keep our Royal Mail and improve the service, not allow it to deteriorate and to be sold off like so many other valued core assets. Even if this government have no sense of self, some of us still do. Thank you to the workers who are carrying on despite it all.
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We are working hard to restore our service in Lisburn and Banbridge to its usual high standards. We anticipate the situation will improve shortly as we recruit for more posties.”
The UK Government has been contacted for comment.
In 2024, the government approved the sale of Royal Mail to a Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group, after being given “legally binding” undertakings. Ministers retained a so-called “golden share” – meaning it has to approve any major changes to Royal Mail’s ownership, its headquarters or tax residency.