MPs write to Royal Mail over missed post complaints

Three Labour MPs have written an open letter to Royal Mail after numerous complaints from constituents about missed post and deliveries.

Matt Rodda, Olivia Bailey and Yuan Yang - who all represent constituencies in and around Reading in Berkshire - wrote that many residents reported delays to receiving important documents and missing "long-awaited health appointments".

"We have been told that it is common for constituents to get all post once a week rather than regular deliveries, with some reporting they are receiving post fortnightly," they said.

Royal Mail said delivery performance in Reading was improving and that it was making "significant changes across our network".

The MPs have asked Royal Mail to clarify the current operational issues it faces and "provide reassurance, with timescales, as to when normal regular postal services will resume".

"Some constituents are under the impression that staff have been diverted to provide attention to parcels, which is concerning to us," the MPs said.

Acknowledging the letter, a Royal Mail spokesperson said it knew "how important it is that customers receive their mail when expected".

"We would reassure customers that mail continues to be delivered across Reading every day," the spokesperson said.

"Where a short-term local issue affects an individual route, our teams work to deliver any outstanding mail as quickly as possible."

It said that according to the company's latest results, first class delivery performance in Reading had risen from 75.4% delivered the next working day at the end of the last financial year to 83.4%.

"Across all letter products, 93% of letters are delivered on time and more than 99% within a week," it said.

In August, reports showed the postal service delivered 85% of first class deliveries the next day between March and June, up from 76% in the same three months of 2025, but below regulator Ofcom's 90% target.

"We know there is more to do and are investing £500m over five years to improve reliability," Royal Mail added.

"We are making significant changes across our network, including rolling out our new delivery model across all 1,200 delivery offices."