Ofcom investigates Royal Mail delivery failures

United Kingdom — Ofcom>>>, the UK's communications regulator, has launched a formal investigation into Royal Mail>>> for consistently failing to meet its delivery targets for the year ending March 2026. Royal Mail>>> delivered only 75.7% of first-class mail the next day (target 90%) and 90.2% of second-class mail within three days (target 95%). This performance is worse than the previous year, despite United Kingdom — Ofcom>>> having 'modernised' Royal Mail>>>'s obligations in July 2025 to reflect declining letter volumes. United Kingdom — Ofcom>>> enforcement director Ian Strawhorne>>> expressed deep frustration with Royal Mail>>>'s unacceptable service levels. Royal Mail>>>, owned by International Distribution Services>>> (recently acquired by Daniel Křetínský>>>), stated that improving quality of service is a top priority, backed by £500 million investment, and warned that any financial penalty would reduce funding for service improvements. United Kingdom — Ofcom>>> will also investigate allegations of parcel prioritization over letters.