16 December 2008 - Steve Lawson - © Hellmail Postal News

The DX, the independent mail operator said the Hooper review was one of the most thorough and comprehensive reviews of the British postal sector ever undertaken.

"Richard Hooper and his panel consulted the full range of stakeholders, sought to find consensus wherever possible and looked for pragmatic and sensible ways forward." said a spokesperson.

"What is particularly important now is that there is a speedy end to the period of uncertainty and disruption that has so damaged the UK postal market; especially at this time of economic difficulty and declining mail volumes."

"We hope and trust that all concerned would "ultimately agree a way forward that preserves all that is great about our mail industry, while enabling efficiencies and modernisation that :

1) stimulates greater competition within the industry,

2) benefits users of the postal system, and

3) restores public faith in the medium.

"Continued regulation of the postal industry is important. Regardless of how this is achieved in future, it is important that the postal expertise built up over the years by Postcomm is retained and expanded, and that any change in structure does allow the desired levels of competition to flourish, bearing in mind the dominant market position of the Royal Mail.

"We would support moves to secure an injection of private capital into the Royal Mail only if this will encourage it to behave in a more commercial manner and adopt commercially sustainable pricing models in each of its business areas.

"Finally, we call for a fundamental levelling of the commercial playing field through the removal of VAT exemption on all business post. The Royal Mail currently has a clear and distinct 15 percent advantage – because that is the amount of VAT that its competitors are compelled to charge customers while the Royal Mail is not. We understand the need to continue to offer a VAT-free ‘Universal Service’ to individuals, but this should be limited to stamped mail only, since all other payment channels are used primarily by business." it said

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