Urging Royal Mail to sort out postal delays

PRESS RELEASE FROM ALISTAIR STRATHERN MP

THURSDAY 17th SEPTEMBER 2026

Alistair Strathern MP has joined more than 100 Labour MPs in calling for urgent action to tackle ongoing postal delays, warning that residents in Hitchin and surrounding communities are continuing to suffer the consequences of late and unreliable deliveries.

The Hitchin MP signed a joint letter to communications regulator Ofcom urging tougher action against Royal Mail after the company repeatedly failed to meet its delivery targets. MPs have also written to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds asking the Government to consider whether Ofcom has sufficient powers to hold Royal Mail to account.

The intervention comes amid widespread concerns over delayed post, including hospital appointment letters, court documents and important bills arriving late or not at all. Strathern has had significant amounts of correspondence from constituents reporting unnecessary stress, missed appointments and many-weeks-late packages because of poor postal service performance.

Recent performance figures show Royal Mail falling far short of its delivery obligations, prompting Ofcom to open an investigation into the company's service standards.

The MPs' letter argues that repeated fines alone have not been enough to improve performance and calls on Ofcom to take a stronger approach to ensuring Royal Mail addresses ongoing

delivery problems.

Alistair Strathern MP said:

"Our towns and villages deserve a postal service they can rely on. Too many people are experiencing delays to important letters, including medical appointments, legal documents and bills.

"When post does not arrive on time, it can have serious consequences for individuals and families. Royal Mail must acknowledge the scale of the problem and take urgent steps to improve its performance.

"Royal Mail must get a grip of these delays and deliver the reliable service that people expect and deserve, and Government and Ofcom need to ensure they are holding them to account when they fall short.”