MPs have accused the postal regulator of being unable to tackle Royal Mail's "unacceptable" service standards, with a parliamentary committee warning that Ofcom may not be capable of overseeing an increasingly competitive delivery market.
The Business and Trade Committee published findings expressing concern that the regulator is "not up to the job" of managing a postal sector that has grown significantly more complex in recent years.
Despite Royal Mail receiving financial penalties from Ofcom annually since 2022, the company continues to fall short of both public expectations and its regulatory obligations, according to the report.
Parliamentarians have issued a stark ultimatum, giving Ofcom half a year to demonstrate it possesses both the authority and determination to effectively oversee postal services in the modern era.
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This shortfall equates to approximately 126 million first-class letters arriving behind schedule over the period examined.
The consequences extend far beyond mere inconvenience, MPs stated, with patients missing hospital appointments, individuals receiving benefit decisions too late, and penalty notices arriving after the window to contest them had closed.
Christmas 2025 proved particularly problematic, with roughly 16 million people affected by postal delays, representing a 50 per cent rise compared to the previous festive season.
The committee criticised Ofcom for failing to supply Parliament with precise figures on late deliveries, noting that Royal Mail had withheld this data citing commercial confidentiality.
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| GETTYLiam Byrne, the committee's chair, said: "Millions of people are paying the price for a postal service that is simply not delivering."
He added: "Hospital appointments missed, benefit decision notices delayed, fines arriving too late to challenge: these are not minor inconveniences, and they are the consequences of a national service failing to meet the standards the public has every right to expect."
Mr Byrne expressed particular alarm at what appeared to be an absence of meaningful scrutiny into whether letters were being sidelined in favour of more lucrative parcel deliveries.
"The universal service remains one of Britain's great civic guarantees, but confidence in it is ebbing away," he warned.
Ofcom has taken action against Royal Mail in the past | PAOfcom defended its record, with a spokesperson stating: "Ofcom has acted decisively not only by using the full extent of our enforcement powers to fine Royal Mail more than £37million for its poor performance, but also demanding a credible improvement plan from the company, backed by investment."
The regulator pointed to Royal Mail's recent agreement with its workforce, supported by a £500million investment pledge, arguing the company must now urgently deliver on promised reforms.
Communication Workers Union general secretary Dave Ward backed the committee's conclusions, accusing Ofcom of repeatedly failing in its regulatory responsibilities.
He criticised the regulator for not addressing "exploitative labour models" used by competitors including Amazon and Evri, which he said undercut Royal Mail while extracting substantial profits.