Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Penn Elcom Global Parcel Theft Report 2022, published in October 2022, what action they expect Ofcom to take in response to parcel theft, and when.

Ofcom is the designated, independent regulator for the postal sector. The Government has no role in its regulatory decisions.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, it is the seller’s responsibility to ensure items ordered are delivered and Ofcom requires postal operators to take all reasonable steps to minimise exposure of postal packets to risk of loss, theft, damage or interference in terms of an essential requirement.

In its 2022 review of postal regulation, Ofcom recognised that the safety and security of parcels remains a key consumer concern and will continue to monitor the issue.