answer text |
<p>Ministers and officials meet with Royal Mail regularly to discuss a range of issues
in relation to its role as the universal postal service provider. The development
of barcoded stamp products as well as the invalidation of non-barcoded stamps is not
covered by requirements in postal legislation and so is an operational matter for
Royal Mail, which is a private company. The Government is not involved in Royal Mail’s
operational or commercial decisions.</p><p>Royal Mail launched a ‘Swap Out’ scheme
for regular non-barcoded stamps on 31 March 2022 and has clarified that special issue
and Christmas stamps will continue to be valid and will not need to be swapped out.</p><p>Royal
Mail has also set out that there is currently no end date for when customers can swap
their stamps meaning that this option can be accessed after 31 January 2023.</p><p>It
is Royal Mail’s responsibility to ensure its customers are aware of the introduction
of barcoded stamps and the arrangements for exchanging old stamps. Further information
about its plans for barcoded stamps is available on Royal Mail’s website: <a href="http://www.royalmail.com/sending/barcoded-stamps"
target="_blank">www.royalmail.com/sending/barcoded-stamps</a>.</p>
|
|