STORY
Royal Mail has announced proposals to remove up to 2,500 head office and support roles by the end of 2027 as part of a wider restructuring programme. The reductions would represent less than two per cent of its workforce of more than 131,000 people, while frontline delivery and processing roles, including posties and drivers, would not be affected.
The company said it expects to achieve the reductions through voluntary redundancies and natural staff turnover rather than compulsory job losses. Formal consultations are taking place with the Communication Workers Union and Unite CMA. Royal Mail said the changes would remove duplicated work, accelerate decision making and allow further investment in services for customers.
Royal Mail is restructuring its operations as letter volumes continue to decline and demand grows for faster and more convenient parcel deliveries. The number of letters being handled has fallen by more than 70 per cent from its peak, while the company has also faced regulatory pressure over missed delivery targets. The changes are being proposed as Royal Mail implements reforms to the Universal Service, which governs the postal service it is legally required to provide across the UK.