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<p> </p><p>The universal postal service is protected in primary legislation – the
Postal Services Act 2011. Under the Act, Parliament has established the minimum requirements
of the universal service – which include letter deliveries 6 days a week at a uniform
and affordable rate throughout the UK. Only Parliament can change the minimum requirements.</p><p>
</p><p>Government has ensured that ongoing protection of the universal service is
at the heart of the regulatory regime by giving Ofcom the primary statutory duty to
secure the provision of the universal service and to this end Ofcom must have regard
for the financial sustainability of the universal service.</p><p> </p><p>Ofcom has
put in place a comprehensive monitoring regime that tracks the financial sustainability
of the universal service and Parliament has ensured that the regulator has the powers
and tools it needs to intervene in the market if the provision of the universal service
is ever at risk.</p><p> </p><p>The steps we have taken to reform the regulatory framework
coupled with securing access to the much needed private capital for Royal Mail, as
the designated Universal Service Provider, are the best way to safeguard the future
of a sustainable universal postal service in the UK.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>
</strong></p><p> </p>
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