Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with Royal Mail on the increase in the cost of first class stamps.

Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider.

As an independent business, Royal Mail’s management sets the prices for its services. The government does not have a role in the company’s day-to-day commercial or operational decisions. In setting its prices however, Royal Mail must work within the regulatory framework set by Ofcom, the independent regulator for postal services.