Royal Mail fined £21m by watchdog for missing mail delivery targets

Royal Mail has been fined £21 million for missing its annual first and second class mail delivery targets, leading to millions of letters arriving late across the UK, regulator Ofcom has said.

It represents the third-largest fine ever imposed by the communications watchdog.

The delivery giant delivered 77% of first class mail and 92.5% of second class mail on time during the 2024-25 financial year, Ofcom found.

This was short of its respective 93% and 98.5% targets.

Ian Strawhorne, director of enforcement at Ofcom, said: "Millions of important letters are arriving late, and people aren't getting what they pay for when they buy a stamp.

"These persistent failures are unacceptable, and customers expect and deserve better.

"Royal Mail must rebuild consumers' confidence as a matter of urgency. And that means making actual significant improvements, not more empty promises."