Stamp prices: First-class stamps to cost 60p
Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 1:17 pmA first-class stamp will rise in price from 46p to 60p from 30 April after the regulator lifted some price controls on Royal Mail.
A second-class stamp will go up from 36p to 50p - some 5p below the top price allowed by Ofcom.
The regulator has allowed Royal Mail to set the price of first-class and business mail.
It claimed the future of the universal service was at "severe risk" without relaxing controls.
The 30% price rise in first-class stamps, and 39% rise for second-class, mark the biggest annual increase in percentage terms since 1975. Ten years ago, a first-class stamp cost 27p, and a second-class cost 19p.
Over the next seven years, the price of second-class stamps will be capped at 55p but this limit could rise with inflation each year.
Royal Mail said that the cost of posting Christmas cards in 2012 will be the same as last year for consumers on Pension Credit and Employment and Support Allowance or Incapacity Benefit.
They will be able to buy up to three books of 12 stamps - 36 stamps in total - in one purchase from any Post Office branch from 6 November until the last posting dates before Christmas. Individuals must provide evidence that they are in receipt of these benefits.
Shortly after the announcement from Ofcom, Royal Mail announced exactly how much it will charge for stamps from 30 April.:
The price of a first-class stamp for a standard letter will go up from 46p to 60p on 30 April
A second-class stamp for a standard letter will go up from 36p to 50p on the same date
A first-class stamp for a large letter weighing up to 100g will rise from 75p to 90p
A large letter sent second-class will cost 69p, rather than 58p
Parcels, franked mail, recorded post, redirection services and PO Box use will also be going up in price
Royal Mail is the only organisatioin I know of which is allowed to charge ever increasing prices for an ever declining level of service
that's 12 shillings in old money !! People will use the service less - and so the service will become even more dire. What people should do is buy their stamps now before the increase - most stamps don't have the price on them now so they'll be ok to use after the 30th April.