Royal Mail: Universal Service Obligation Debate

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Department: Department for Business and Trade

Royal Mail: Universal Service Obligation

Alan Strickland Excerpts
Wednesday 11th March 2026

(1 day, 8 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Blair McDougall Portrait Blair McDougall
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We continue to seek those reassurances and the plan behind them. As I mentioned, with regard to the Scottish elections, a specific meeting between the management of Royal Mail—its CEO—and the election authorities in Scotland is coming up to discuss exactly the concerns that the right hon. Gentleman raises.

Alan Strickland Portrait Alan Strickland (Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor) (Lab)
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I met a resident at my surgery at the weekend who has a long-term health condition. They have been sent testing packs by the NHS, which arrive late, and appointment letters have been delayed, which is having a huge impact on their health. When the Minister meets Ofcom later, will he raise the serious impacts of unacceptable Royal Mail delays on not just our residents, but our national health service?

Blair McDougall Portrait Blair McDougall
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I will certainly raise my hon. Friend’s concerns about important medical post with Ofcom. Royal Mail is part of the critical national infrastructure and can reach every part of the country, and its ability to deliver such things is a business opportunity, and it needs to get that right.