An investigation has been initiated by oversight bodies into another instance of Royal Mail failing to meet its letter delivery goals.

The postal corporation, which was privatized, acknowledged last week that in the period up to March, only 75.7% of first-class mail and 90.2% of second-class mail were delivered within the specified time frames, falling significantly short of their respective targets of 93% and 98.5%.

This resulted in a substantial number of items, ranging from greeting cards to medical appointments, arriving late, causing dissatisfaction among households and businesses, especially with the recent increase in stamp prices. Ofcom, the regulator, criticized this failure as “unacceptable” and confirmed the commencement of an inquiry.

Consequently, Royal Mail may face additional penalties. Over previous instances of delivery shortcomings, the company has incurred fines exceeding £37 million, including a £21 million penalty in 2024/25.

In response, Ofcom has urged Royal Mail to accelerate its modernization efforts and expects the implementation of the improvement plan to commence promptly.

To alleviate the pressure on the company, the regulator has permitted a revised delivery schedule for second-class letters and adjusted downward the future delivery targets.

Ofcom stated, “While Royal Mail has shown progress, the delay in initiating delivery reforms for almost a year has sustained unacceptable service levels.”

Ian Strawhorne, Ofcom’s enforcement director, expressed concern, “A dependable postal service is crucial for many individuals nationwide. We empathize with customers who have experienced inconvenience due to Royal Mail’s persistent failure to enhance its service over time.”

He added, “While the company is now progressing through its improvement strategy, we will continue to hold it accountable for its unsatisfactory performance up to this point.”

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