ROYAL MAIL’s future is “again under threat,” the CWU warned today after the owner of the privatised service welcomed an improved £3.5 billion takeover offer from Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky.

Parent company International Distribution Services (IDS) said that Mr Kretinsky’s EP Group had agreed to offer a set of “contractual undertakings,” including commitments to maintain six-day-a-week first-class letter deliveries under the universal service obligation, though leaving daily second-class deliveries at risk.

It would also protect workers’ rights and retain the Royal Mail brand, as well as its British headquarters and tax residence, under the proposed 370p-a-share buyout.