Stamp prices have risen today, now costing consumers as much as 15p more than they would have previously.
Those who have missed the price-hike deadline will pay 7p more for a 2nd class stamp and 15p more for a 1st class stamp. Charity group Citizens Advice say that a 1st class stamp now costs 64 percent more than it would have five years ago.
It comes amid ongoing inflation which has caused prices to rise on numerous goods and services, including broadband and groceries.
Below are the new prices for 1st and 2nd class stamps, as well as the price rises that we'll see on large stamps:
- 1st class (large) - from £1.45 to £1.60
- 1st class - from 95p to £1.10
- 2nd class (large) - from £1.05 to £1.15
- 2nd class - from 68p to 75p
Royal Mail has said that the reason for the price surge is because of "careful consideration" of different factors.
Some of these include overall rising costs, a 25 percent drop in letter-sending in the aftermath of the pandemic, and an "ever-growing" number of addresses.
When the hikes were announced last month, Matthew Upton, Director of Policy at Citizens Advice, said: "Almost one in five people are already struggling with current prices for second class stamps.
"Royal Mail is choosing to hike prices at a time when millions are missing important letters, thanks to post delays. Nobody should be paying more for this kind of subpar service."
This comes after the recent news that the Royal Mail would be scrapping non-barcoded stamps.
The stamps which do not have barcodes were to be scrapped by January 31, 2023, but due to a six month grace period, can be used until July 31, 2023.
If you have older stamps, you should be sure to use them before the deadline as buying replacements will now cost more.
If you don't think you'll be able to use them before the end of July, you can use the Royal Mail's swap-out service to hand in your old stamps and receive new ones for free.
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