Royal Mail reveals the new franking pricing for 1st and 2nd Class post

April 12, 2012 - PRLog -- For those who are currently using stamps, there will be on average a 30% difference between franking and stamps prices.  

Following Royal Mail’s announcement the price of a first-class stamp will rise in price from 46p to 60p, after the regulator (Ofcom) lifted some of its price controls. Second-class stamps will also increase from 36p to 50p which is 5p less than the top price allowed by Ofcom. The record annual increase (by 30% for first class & 39% for second class stamps) has been allowed as the universal service was deemed to be at risk without such rises. It is expected that the price of a second class stamp will be capped at 55p but could be liable to a rise with inflation over the next seven years. The UK still remains one of the lowest cost areas to send a letter in Europe.
To ensure that a six day a week postal service could be maintained at its current level, Ofcom needed to make changes to the current price limits in place. This is due to the change and increase in the usage of other communication methods including text messages, emails and online messaging.
Summary of price rises;
•   First class stamp rise to 60p from 46p & first class frank  will be 44p, a 16p difference
•   Second class stamp rises 50p from 31p & second class frank will be 31p, a 19p difference
•   Large 1st Class Letter (up to 100g) will rise from to 90p from 75p, with a frank price being 66p, a 24p difference
•   Large parcels, recorded post & business mail (formerly CleanMail) will also be going up in price and are only available to those who have a SMART franking machine (as they will be subject to VAT)
George Bevan, Managing Director of The Mailing Room commented; "We are pleased that OFCOM’s announcement for both stamps and franking pricing, has increased the cost benefits of using a franking machine to deal with all post. With 19p or 38% difference in the price of sending a 2nd class letter, The Royal Mail have demonstrated that they wish to encourage business users to use a franking machine where to support this, discounts will continue to be available through partners such as ourselves, ensuring that businesses are not unduly affected by any increase in costs.”
“Royal Mail’s announcement reinforces that the only way to effectively have access to all services is through a SMART franking machine.’

If you believe that the changes to the Royal Mail prices may affect your business  or you require more information on how to make savings on stamp prices, please feel to contact us on 0161 797 7778 or visit www.themailingroom.com

Mailing Room Overview
The Mailing Room is a leading services provider, with a comprehensive range of products & services within its areas of excellence; being franking machines, postal services, consumables and asset finance to create cost savings in the business mail process. By delivering a ‘one stop shop’ for UK businesses to single source mailing room supplies, The Mailing Room provides the highest level of service and market leading pricing to reduce our customer’s overall costs. Our aim is to become a long term partner with all our customers to help them plan their mailing room requirements and simplify the procurement process.
The company has grown quickly since its inception in 1999 to servicing over 10,000 customers nationwide, in both the commercial and public sector.  This growth has been fed by working closely with best of breed suppliers, including an exclusive distribution for the north of England and public sector for the FP range of franking machines and a partnership with Pitney Bowes.
Contact for Editors: Andrew Parmenter, Marketing Manager on Andrew.parmenter@themailingroom.com or call 0161 797 7778

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The Mailing Room specialise in reducing the costs of your mailings by lowering the postage costs of your in-house franking machine system. We do this by ensuring that you are using the most cost efficient postage service.