Royal Mail poised to axe Saturday deliveries

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Postcomm chief executive Sarah Chamber told a conference that reducing deliveries from six to five days a week was under consideration to help Royal Mail cut its losses.

It is one of a range of options in the regulator's strategy review of post services beyond 2010.

The idea comes three years after Royal Mail was allowed to end second daily deliveries to help restore it to profitability.

Ms Chambers told the conference-organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs, that Royal Mail is required to provide a more "Rolls-Royce" service than other European postal services.

Elsewhere in Europe a fivedaya-week delivery is standard.

Royal Mail believes delivering mail six days a week at uniform prices is economically unsustainable-without big increases in stamp prices. It loses 7p on every first-class letter.

At the London conference yesterday Ms Chambers said dropping the six-day requirement could keep stamp prices down.

A Postcomm spokeswoman said: "At this stage it is just blue-sky thinking."