THE Communications Workers Union (CWU) criticised postal regulator Ofcom today for leaking to the media plans by Royal Mail to scrap Saturday deliveries while failing to consult its members. 

The regulator is due to publish a document this week outlining options on how Royal Mail “can evolve to more closely meet consumer needs.”

So-called industry sources over the weekend told media outlets that Ofcom could call for the abolition of the service’s universal service obligation (USO).

A CWU spokesman said the media leak “sums up the lack of professionalism, integrity and credibility they have as a regulator.

“The CWU will work with economists to produce an alternative and independent view on the future of postal services in the UK and embark on a major engagement exercise with our members, businesses and the public.”

Branding it completely inappropriate to debate the future of Royal Mail in the absence of its workers, the union added: “Ofcom have abandoned their responsibilities on quality of service and are now attempting to do the same on the USO.

“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.

“The CWU and our members are not blind to the need for change. But we want change based on the needs of customers, the security of our members’ jobs and driven by an ambitious growth strategy that sees the infrastructure, fleet and presence in every community as Royal Mail’s key assets.”

Royal Mail reported a £319 million loss for the first half of this financial year and has called for urgent reform since 2020.

Ofcom said it would “be for the government and Parliament to determine whether any changes are needed to the minimum requirements of the universal service.”