ROYAL MAIL’s universal service obligation (USO) is not just a stamp on an envelope — it’s a lifeline for millions, especially in Scotland’s rural communities.

Proposals outlined recently by the watchdog Ofcom threaten to weaken and dismantle this vital service in a move which will isolate and disadvantage rural communities across Scotland. We ignore this genuine danger at our peril. The changes threaten the very social fabric of Scottish communities, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, which are heavily reliant on an effective and functioning postal service that is protected in law by the USO.

At its core, the USO guarantees six-day-a-week letter delivery, affordable postage, and one-price-goes-anywhere delivery across the country. This service is crucial for residents and businesses who rely on it for essential communications, from healthcare appointments to business transactions and social connections. In a world increasingly reliant on digital communication, for many, the post remains the only reliable and accessible way to stay connected.  

Imagine a doctor’s referral letter arriving late, a missed job interview notification, a tender for work by a small business delayed beyond the deadline, or a vital benefits application delayed. These are not just hypothetical scenarios — they are the potential consequences of a weakened USO. Scotland’s communities already face challenges with connectivity and access to services. Removing the guaranteed postal service could create an insurmountable barrier, leaving them further isolated and vulnerable.

Furthermore, post offices are often the heart of rural communities. They act as social hubs, offering banking services, bill payments, and a sense of community connection. Dismantling the USO could push these vital outposts closer to closure, in turn exacerbating existing loneliness and isolation, particularly for older residents who may not have access to digital services.

The argument for reform often focuses on the declining use of letters and the financial burden on Royal Mail. But Ofcom’s proposals did not even take the time to listen to CWU members — the very posties who are among the most trusted public servants in our society.  

Debating the future of the postal service in the absence of those who work for it and deliver it every day is completely inappropriate and should tell everybody what Ofcom’s real priorities and motives are. This is the regulator openly pursuing the failed agenda of the former Royal Mail Group senior leadership — all of whom have now left the company but not before emptying its coffers by way of £567 million in dividends and a share buyback in 2022, before their mismanagement cost £748m in operating losses in 2023.

Ofcom and indeed Royal Mail’s own bosses have a narrative which ignores the wider societal value of the USO. It’s not just about delivering mail — it’s about ensuring equal access to essential services, promoting social inclusion and, particularly for us in Scotland, safeguarding the unique character of rural Scotland.

Scotland’s geography presents unique challenges. Remote communities, both island and mainland, scattered across vast distances are inherently more expensive to serve. A purely market-driven approach would likely see these areas deemed unprofitable, leading to service cuts and further isolation. This would not only be unfair but also economically counterproductive. Rural communities are major contributors to Scotland's economy, particularly in tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy. Weakening their social fabric would have a ripple effect on the entire nation.

Finding a sustainable solution requires engagement with the workers who have kept the Royal Mail going for hundreds of years. Those at the top of the company have run it into the ground from its substantial profit levels made a few years ago. They want to turn Royal Mail into another gig-economy courier service that dumps parcels on doorsteps and drives off before you even open the door.

Our members faced brutal attacks and suspensions on trumped-up charges — most of which are now being overturned by independent review — during a year-long industrial dispute. They were not only fighting to protect the terms and conditions our union has fought for — they were fighting to protect a service we all rely on. 

It’s time for governments, be they British or Scottish, current or incoming, to step up and play a proactive role in ensuring the USO remains and remains fit for purpose. They must all champion the needs of our communities and recognise the value our postal service could unlock. 

Royal Mail has the biggest fleet in the country, a presence in every community, and boasts an unrivalled infrastructure. This is the bedrock on which a serious growth agenda — and the company’s future — could be built.

This weekend as Scottish Labour holds its annual conference, the CWU will demand that Scottish Labour campaign to ensure that the USO remains truly universal in nature and is not reduced to a basic service and that the party meet with Royal Mail and the CWU to discuss opportunities to expand the role of postal workers in Scotland.

The fight to protect the very principles of the USO goes beyond postal workers alone. It’s a battle for the very soul of solidarity and the future of public services. It’s a battle on which all trade unions and their members must stand shoulder to shoulder with the CWU.  

Cutting delivery days and service points translates to the loss of decent jobs, especially in communities where other employers are hard to come by. This ripples through the economy, affecting local businesses and families reliant on postal income. The potential shift towards casualised labour further erodes job security and weakens collective bargaining rights, affecting all workers across industries.

What’s worse is that reducing the USO further normalises the sacrificing of essential services for corporate profit, paving the way for similar attacks on our remaining public services.

Ultimately, Royal Mail’s USO is not just a service — it’s a social contract. It represents a commitment to a fair and inclusive society, where everyone, regardless of their location, has access to essential services and the opportunity to participate in the wider community. Dismantling this contract would betray this commitment, leaving Scotland further behind and jeopardising the essence of what makes it unique.

Craig Anderson is CWU regional secretary in Scotland.