Royal Mail

Debate between Baroness Prosser and Lord Stockwood

Monday 8th June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Stockwood (Lab)]

These are early stages in the privatisation of Royal Mail. The new owner, EP Group, shows an encouraging commitment to improving the services and conditions of work for all employees, but it is too early to say. The Question was about performance of second-class and first-class mail, and that we can commit to. The investors are committed to an improvement programme to get us to where we need to be.

[Baroness Prosser (Lab)]

My Lords, I declare an interest as a former member of the board of Royal Mail. I understand people’s frustration and anger, but this is a global problem. Every developed country is suffering from a reduction in the number of pieces of mail being delivered and sent through the post while still requiring the infrastructure to deal with that smaller number and that smaller income. Do the Government have any plans to bring together Royal Mail and its foreign equivalents in other developed countries to see what answers can be found to this global problem?

[Lord Stockwood (Lab)]

Currently, we are focused on improving the performance of Royal Mail in the UK through Ofcom and through direct conversations with Royal Mail. My colleague, Minister McDougall, meets with his counterparts in Royal Mail and Ofcom on a regular basis. However, I take my noble friend’s question seriously. It is important that we encourage the provider to speak to its foreign counterparts to ensure that there is a solution that is met. We are currently engaging with the EU on a number of issues, but this is something that we should get to in short order as well.