Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions his Department has had with Ofcom on their consultation on the future of the universal service obligation for postal services.

Ministers and officials meet with Ofcom regularly to discuss a range of issues in relation to its role as the regulatory authority for the postal sector.

The government is committed to a universal service obligation and know Ofcom will use this consultation to ensure that Royal Mail is able to effectively serve its customers in the years to come.

A reliable and affordable universal postal service is crucial to the UK, and we are clear it must work for customers, workers and businesses that help drive growth across the country.