Competition should drive up the standard of service in postal markets

As Royal Mail provides a formal submission of evidence to Ofcom, asking it to bring the competition review forward, Citizens Advice highlights how the needs of consumers must be central to any review.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

“Competition in any market should be open and fair and drive up the standard of service.  Ofcom has the duty to protect the universal service obligation and should it have clear evidence that competition is having an adverse effect then we would expect it to take appropriate and early action.

“Consumers need Ofcom to make sure that competition and regulation focus on what customers need and that consumers get a decent service.”

Notes to editors:

1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.