Stamp price increases soon?

The Royal Mail has lost money on it's letter delivery service for years, £120 million in 2010, as more and more people turn to email, E- cards or alternative methods of sending letters, which are growing in numbers and eating into Royal Mail's market share.

Ofcom has recommended price increases for First and Second Class mail that would hike the price of the second class mail from 36p to 55p and the First Class could be uncapped. How that would work is unclear at the moment but soon every small business might need scales or measuring equipment to get the right price level.

They see the current UK mailing prices as being lower than Europe's so feel that the proposed price increase is fitting to reduce the losses currently absorbed by Royal Mail and something the small business can face.

There are postal services that that use your local supermarket or corner shop as  the collection/drop off spot, so have a look see if your area is covered.