FUTURE OF THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE OBLIGATION

That this House expresses its alarm that the regulator, Ofcom has failed to register the dangers to Royal Mail's provision of the universal service obligation; notes in particular, that Ofcom has allowed the introduction of delivery competition without putting into place any safeguards to ensure that Royal Mail can fund the universal service, in the event of the loss of a substantial amount of delivery work; further notes that Ofcom has placed no obligation on competitors to meet Royal Mail delivery standards, or even to publish details of delivery performance in a manner accessible to customers and the public; and therefore calls on the regulator to reconsider its decision and ensure that Royal Mail is not subjected to unfair competition in delivery provision.