Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of strengthening consumer protections for people in isolated properties in rural areas to which courier services do not deliver.

The Government imposes a Universal Service Obligation (USO) on Royal Mail, requiring delivery of parcels up to 20 kilograms 5 days-a-week at uniform rates throughout the UK, with-out any geographical restrictions. Outside of the USO, delivery practices remain commercial decisions for parcel operators. The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 require all retailers to provide up front information to consumers regarding any delivery restrictions.