I can’t argue with any of the points made in your article (‘A very British thing’: UK gets creative to try to keep Christmas card tradition alive, 9 December), but one thing needs to be emphasised. The doubling of the price of postage in the past decade is a factor, but many people are reluctant to trust that their Christmas cards, or indeed any other post sent via Royal Mail, will arrive at their destination within a reasonable timescale, if at all.
We can forget the timescales laid out in the universal service obligation; privatised Royal Mail is clearly ignoring that one. Huge cuts made in recent times by management have resulted in local delivery offices being stripped to the bone and the public no longer getting their post – especially letters – more than once or twice a week.
Experienced, dedicated posties are leaving in big numbers. The brutal stripping back of personnel and resources means that it is no longer possible for our posties to do their jobs.
Kate Billington
Sheffield
• I feel bound to warn others not to use standard Royal Mail for parcels, as mine, posted from Somerset on 25 November, has still not arrived in London. It was for a birthday in mid-December containing, among other bits, a cake for a birthday girl. I can’t even make a complaint for another week, then I have to provide all receipts for the handmade items within. I should have used Amazon.
Jo Valentine
Bridgwater, Somerset
• One useful option is to donate money previously paid in postage direct to charities and send virtual cards: fewer trees would be cut down and it’s less time-consuming. I still send a few cards and will spend time on a video call. Technology has benefits. Donations, not profits!
Sally Bates
Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire
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