Unite has responded to plans by the Royal Mail to cut up to 2,500 jobs by the end of 2027.

The union believes years of inaction by the service, the government and Ofcom has created the conditions for the latest cuts. They have failed to address the serious problems facing Royal Mail, especially high competition from gig economy postal services.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Unite CMA has been warning for some considerable time that unless the government and Ofcom address the serious challenges facing Royal Mail, further jobs will be put at risk.

"This is not good for employees or customers. It will not improve quality of service and the workforce must not be made the scapegoats for poor decisions made by the company, government or Ofcom.

"Without urgent action, this will happen again. More jobs will be lost, employment standards will continue to fall and customers will continue to be let down. The answer cannot simply be another round of job cuts."

Unite CMA has repeatedly warned that without urgent intervention to modernise the service, tackle the gig economy and create a level playing field across the delivery sector, further job losses are inevitable. The government must review the regulatory framework governing the postal industry to ensure positive action is taken.

Unite CMA National Chair Gary Sassoon-Hales said: “These devastating job losses have been directly caused by years of inaction. Unite will not stand for our members being penalised for a situation that is not of their making.

“Unite is now supporting our affected members at Royal Mail during this very difficult time and is committed to fighting this decision every step of the way. Firm change, not further job losses, is what is needed to ensure the future of Royal Mail.”

Unite CMA is the union for communications professionals. It represents managers, professionals and staff employed across Royal Mail and the wider communications sector.

ENDS

Notes to editors

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