THE postal regulator was branded “not up for the job” of remedying the Royal Mail’s “unacceptable” performance in a new report by MPs published today.

The business and trade committee warned Ofcom that it had six months to prove it can regulate a postal market that is growing in competition and complexity.

MPs voiced their fears in a report which detailed Royal Mail’s failure to meet its own targets and public expectations.

They highlighted major changes in the postal market since the start of the 21st century, since when the number of letters has dropped dramatically and competitors for parcel delivery can “hive off profits” using universal postal services.

This allows companies like Amazon to deliver parcels in more remote areas without contributing to the costs of the Royal Mail’s service and infrastructure.

About 126 million first-class letters arrived late over the year, the committee estimated.

MPs hit Ofcom for failing to provide Parliament with the exact numbers of late letter deliveries and gave the regulator a six-month deadline to bring better regulation of the market.

Communication Workers Union (CWU) general secretary Dave Ward said: “Time and time again, Ofcom has failed in its regulatory duties.

“At Royal Mail, it has failed to adequately address major customer service failings, appropriate staff resourcing and a culture of mismanagement at the company.

“It has also failed to seek an end to the exploitative labour models that other postal companies like Amazon and Evri use to siphon off mega profits and undercut Royal Mail.

“If Royal Mail stands a chance in the future, we must see a seriously reformed Ofcom that can honestly call out the problems and recommend the changes that are so clearly needed.”