The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has
announced the publication of the Postal Services Bill, which
contains radical plans to modernise the Post Office. The Bill
enshrines in law for the first time the universal postal service at
a uniform tariff.
The Bill will also put in place access criteria to
ensure nationwide access to Post Office Counter Services. An
independent Postal Regulator will also be empowered by the Bill and
the Post Office will be converted into a publicly owned plc,
allowing it to compete on the same basis as its competitors in the
parcel delivery market.
(DTI Press Release P/00/053)