Many of us still rely on the postal service to send cards, documents, and other information. The recent rise in the cost of stamps will mean an impact on budgets for businesses and households as a result.
The third rise in eighteen months
If you feel as though it hasn’t been a long time since the last rise in postage costs, you are quite right – this new price hike will be the third time that the charge for stamps has increased in just eighteen months.
The new price for a standard first class stamp will rise to £1.25, which is a rise of 15p and almost a 50% increase from its cost just a year ago. Second class stamps will cost 75 pence apiece.
The new prices came into effect on the 2nd of October. But those with a stash of unused stamps don’t need to buy replacements as they can still be used to send letters and other documents.
An expensive time for businesses
For those who send a high volume of post, the latest round of price rises will mean yet more pressure on their budgets. Those affected are likely to include businesses (including small online trading enterprises), as well as organisations and charities that send out frequent communications in this way.
For those needing to get documents sent out extra quickly, a same day courier Nottingham or elsewhere can be a surer option, giving customer satisfaction and helping to bolster brand loyalty in the process.
Reasons for the rise
The reasons for the latest stamp price rises have been given as, “increasing cost pressures, the challenging economic environment, and the lack of reform of the universal service obligation (USO)” by the Royal Mail. At present, the USO requires that Royal Mail offers a “one price goes anywhere” stamp that can reach any of the UK’s properties regardless of location, six days a week.
With the price of sending documents by Royal Mail growing ever more expensive, alternatives such as a same day courier in Nottingham are becoming increasingly attractive.