Postcomm modifies UK Mail's licence

23 October 2002

Following consultation, Postcomm today approved a modification to the interim postal licence held by UK Mail Ltd.

The modification will allow UK Mail to carry out a wider range of activities for its existing business customers in the event of industrial action by Royal Mail workers, or an emergency or a natural disaster.

Currently UK Mail is required by its licence to pass all mail to Consignia for delivery. The modification will allow the company to deliver mail itself.

Notes for Editors

The modification would come into operation in the event of 24 hour official industrial action that involves three or more mail centres. The services may be provided for a period of 14 days or three times the length of the official industrial action, whichever is the longer.

For disruption that falls outside these criteria -- such as unofficial industrial action -- Postcomm would need to make a determination before extra mail services could be provided, and would consult Postwatch, the consumer watchdog first. A determination from Postcomm would also be needed to trigger extra mail services in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.

The text of the licence is on Postcomm’s website www.postcomm.gov.uk. Copies are available from Postcomm at 6 Hercules Road, London SE1 7DB.