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Royal Mail USO Reform – Update

After months of uncertainty followed by confirmation of USO Reform on 28^th July, Royal Mail’s ongoing transition to a new delivery system has taken another turn, with new adjustments to the original rollout plan introduced.

Due to operational challenges in moving the entire network to the updated model, Royal Mail have now implemented a short-term strategy intended to bridge the gap over the next 12–18 months. Central to this interim phase is a new algorithm designed to streamline deliveries, prioritise efficiency, and work around existing infrastructure limitations.

Below you’ll find details on the new algorithm and how the changes will affect delivery schedules in both standard and pilot areas.

Mail is handed over and processed on D+1. So the Journey from Production release to handover by the DSA provider to Royal Mail.

The algorithm will then determine if there is a coincident item of mail due for delivery to an address – coincident mail may be any of  1^st Class / D+2 next day volume and time-expired D+3 or Economy mail. Here Royal Mail are looking to consolidate items of mail to try and make the weekly deliver efficient, so if there is already an Economy letter waiting and you the have a 1^st class item, then the 2 items will get delivered together.

If there is a coincident item the mail will be delivered on D+2. If there is no coincident item on D+2 the item will be released for delivery on D+3. Which is within the delivery aim for that product.

At present Saturday is still classed as a delivery day for all Access mail. For the avoidance of doubt, we will not be ‘holding mail’ and it will be first processed on day of handover to ensure we meet the D+3 delivery specification. In this regard, really there is no change and its very much business as usual.

In terms of delivery profile this would mean:

• Monday – D+3 mail handed to Royal Mail
• Tuesday – some mail delivered on D+2 (approx. 50% we expect)
• Wednesday – remainder of mail delivered on D+3
• Saturday remains a delivery day for D+3 mail handed over on Thursday and Friday

The difference will be at the 35 offices that are piloting the alternate day delivery model. In these offices we will continue to deliver mail as we have been doing since the pilots commenced with roughly half the mail being delivered on Day A and the other half on Day B Monday to Friday.

In terms of delivery profile at the pilot offices this means:

• Monday – D+3 mail handed to Royal Mail
• Tuesday – c. 50% of mail delivered on D+2 (on one of a posties two walks)
• Wednesday – remainder of mail delivered on D+3 (on the posties second walk)
• Saturday is not a core delivery day

As with the original reform, Central Mailing Services will continue to update all colleagues and clients with changes as we become aware of them ourselves, and should you have any questions, please reach out to your sales contact or account manager for more information.

Below, we have included some links you may find useful in understanding what this now means for your mail

https://cwue5.org/2025/04/15/uso-update-on-pilot-sites/

Royal Mail have further information here

https://www.royalmailwholesale.com/universal-service-reform-faq

NB content from Royal Mail and CMS