Regulation of postal services
The Postal Services Act 2011, which received Royal Assent on 13 June 2011, provides for the introduction of a regulatory framework based on general authorisation to replace the licensing regime that was introduced under the Postal Services Act 2000.
Ofcom, the regulator for the communications sector, assumed regulatory responsibility for the postal sector in October 2011. A Joint Statement covering the transition was made in September 2010 and can be accessed via the related links box on the right. As can an April 2011 letter from Vince Cable to Ofcom and Postcomm which sets out the Government's intentions for the regulatory framework that the Postal Services Act establishes and which Ofcom, as postal regulator, will oversee.
Ofcom's primary duty in respect to post will be to secure the provision of the universal postal service, including having regard to its financial sustainability.
Ofcom published its consultation on the future regulatory framework on 20 October 2011. The consultation closed on 5 January 2012 and Ofcom expects to publish a decision on these proposals in spring 2012. Full details can be found on Ofcom's website.
