1. What discussions has the Minister had with Royal Mail following the launch of its five year strategy? OAQ54279

Officials met with Royal Mail earlier this month to discuss the potential implications of this strategy on Welsh communities. I intend to meet both with Royal Mail and the trade unions as soon as is practical. 

Thank you, Deputy Minister. Since the privatisation of Royal Mail, there's been a pressure on the company to find profits. The Communication Workers Union, of which I'm a member, has raised concerns that the universal service obligation, which guarantees an equal six-day service to all in the UK, might be reviewed. To many who are isolated and lonely, postal workers can be one of the only few regular points of contact, especially in rural areas. Even in cities such as Newport, local posties are often the first to notice if something is wrong and are very much appreciated by their local communities. The universal service obligation is a fair and much valued service. If this is taken away, there is a fear that the link that community postmen provide will be lost. Can the Deputy Minister assure me that the Welsh Government will be making representations to Royal Mail to highlight the value it puts on the equal six-day service, ensuring that it does all it can to protect the role of the community posties?

Yes, absolutely. As the Member said, I'm very much aware, and the Government is, of the important role that posties play in communities across Wales in terms of not just the service they provide, but almost that link to people, that lifeline to people as well. I will be meeting Royal Mail shortly to discuss this, but also I place equal importance on meeting both the CWU and Unite trade unions, and in both those meetings I'll make sure that the universal service obligation and the role that posties play across our communities are on the agenda at those meetings.

I welcome the news that the Royal Mail is investing around £1.8 billion over the next five years into the postal service as a part of its five-year strategic plan. As a part of Royal Mail's plan to restore its fortunes, the group intends to expand its parcel service and introduce a second parcel delivery. However, Ofcom has warned that Royal Mail's financial position could threaten the sustainability of the universal postal service. What assurance has the Minister received from the Royal Mail that it will continue to meet its legal obligation to deliver letters to the whole country for a fixed fee? Thank you.

Clearly, Royal Mail services find themselves under pressure because of what has happened in the recent past in terms of privatisation. But, as I've already said to the Member previously, we place great emphasis on retaining the universal service obligation. We know the value that brings to our communities, particularly rural communities across Wales. And that is something that I will certainly be raising in my meetings with both the Royal Mail and the relevant trade unions. I know, in terms of the proposals, there are some positive proposals to make it easier for customers to post parcels, with the introduction of parcel post boxes, and to be able to return them. I think that in particular may help customers in more rural areas. But, absolutely, on our agenda is actually the retention and the value of the universal service obligation and the role that the posties play in our communities across the country.