LONDON - Royal Mail, the British post office controlled by Czech businessman Daniel Křetínský's EP Group, has been fined 21 million pounds (roughly CZK 585 million) by the British regulator Ofcom for failing to meet on-time delivery targets. Ofcom made the announcement in a press release today message. It is the highest fine ever imposed on a company, the agency said.
In addition, Ofcom has threatened further fines if Royal Mail fails to remedy the situation. "Millions of important letters are being delivered late and people are not getting what they are paying for by buying a stamp," said Ofcom's Ian Strawhorne. "These persistent failures are unacceptable," he added.
The penalty announced relates to on-time delivery targets for the 2024/2025 financial year. According to Ofcom, between the start of last April and the end of March this year, the Post Office delivered on time only 77 per cent of so-called first class mail, for which it promises delivery within one working day. It therefore missed its target of 93 per cent.
Similarly, the post office has not succeeded with the second class of parcels, for which it promises delivery in two to three working days. It managed to deliver 92.5 per cent of these items on time against the required 98.5 per cent.
Royal Mail is owned by International Distribution Services (IDS), which was taken over by Křetínský's group at the end of April this year. Royal Mail was founded in 1516 and currently employs more than 150,000 people. But it has struggled in recent years due to a decline in interest in parcel delivery, delays in parcel delivery and staff strikes for higher incomes.
CTK /gnews.cz-jav
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