Royal Mail is reportedly planning on slowing down the delivery of hospital post and legal letters in a bid to save money.
Talks have taken place between Royal Mail, the government and the NHS over the move, according to the Sunday Times, which would aim to save £650 million a year.
As part of these, the NHS and Ministry of Justice have been asked if the letters they send out could be delivered two days per week, instead of the three currently.
Though no decisions are said to have been made, this would mark a wider move to slow down the delivery from ‘bulk mail’ customers, such as public bodies and companies.
“Reform is urgently needed,” a spokesperson said.
“We are doing everything in our power to transform, but it is not sustainable to maintain a network built for 20 billion letters when we are now only delivering seven billion.”
Royal Mail has been locked in a lengthy spat with the government over its universal service obligation, which requires the firm to deliver post six days a week.
A government source reiterated that there would be “no changes” to the service on Sunday though, despite the firm stacking up losses - including £320 million over the first half of this year.