Postwatch - Ending mail monopoly will protect universal service

Consumer group Postwatch today said the decision to fully liberalise postal services would re-enforce, not undermine, a universal delivery service, adding that the main threat to daily collection and delivery at a standard price was the inefficiency of Royal Mail.

Praising the Postcomm decision, Postwatch chairman Peter Carr said liberalisation would be good for Royal Mail, as it would maintain the pressure to deliver quality of service to customers, improve efficiency and drive innovation. He added: "This is welcome confirmation of a policy which will ultimately benefit all users of mail services. As indicated, there remain significant problems before the playing field is levelled for full competition, e.g. VAT, access price and conditions. This is now urgent and Postcomm must act against any operator behaving unfairly in the market - including Royal Mail."