Postcomm issues two new postal licences

20 November 2001

Postcomm today announced it is issuing two short term licences to UK Mail Ltd, and Deya Ltd.

UK Mail is a subsidiary of Business Post Group Plc. The licence will enable the company to collect mail from customers within designated postcode areas, sort and consolidate that mail and then carry it to the relevant local Consignia office for delivery by postmen. The company will need to negotiate appropriate access terms with Consignia.

The licence for Deya will allow it to provide a UK-wide postal service for local authorities and utility services in the event of disruption to the universal postal service – such as industrial action by Consignia employees. The aim of the service is to ensure payments such as housing benefit and bills for council tax and utility services reach consumers during periods of disruption.

Both licences will last one year to allow Postcomm to assess their effects while it continues to develop its longer term licensing policy.

Notes to Editors

Today’s announcement follows a 30 day consultation on each licence application. The Deya licence takes effect immediately, the licence for UK Mail will come into operation in April 2002.

The text of the decision documents, consultation papers and the licences can be found in the Consultation section.