Royal Mail has today announced plans to reduce its overall headcount of workers by a total of 10,000 by next August.
The nation’s postal service currently employs 140,000 people right across the UK.
It’s believed that up to 6,000 people in full-time roles will be made redundant by August 2023.
Royal Mail says it plans to cut back on the 10,000 roles through redundancy, for the most part, while the rest will be achieved through natural attrition.
“This is a very sad day,” said Simon Thompson – Chief Executive at Royal Mail.
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“I regret that we are announcing these job losses, [but] we will do all we can to avoid compulsory redundancies and support everyone affected.”
The redundancy announcements this morning come as parent company International Distributions Services said it had a loss of £219 million for the first half of this financial year, with around £70 million of that loss attributed to “direct negative impacts” from three days of industrial action.
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Royal Mail plans to cut up to 6,000 jobs by next August / Credit: Royal Mail
The announcement also comes after Royal Mail workers who are members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) yesterday began a fresh round of strikes over pay, job cuts, and working conditions – with a further 19 days of industrial action yet to come.
Around 115,000 Royal Mail staff notably walked out in what the CWU said was “the biggest national strike of any sector” back in August.
The CWU’s general secretary, Dave Ward, has said previously that workers are facing the “biggest ever assault” on jobs, terms and conditions “in the history of Royal Mail” – but Royal Mail chief Mr Thompson argued in his statement today that “each strike day weakens our financial situation.”
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“The CWU’s decision to choose damaging strike action over resolution regrettably increases the risk of further headcount reductions,” he added.
Featured Image – Royal Mail
News
Award-winning Manchester restaurant Another Hand announces closure with ‘immediate effect’
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most popular intimate restaurants has sadly announced that it’ll be closing its doors with ‘immediate effect’.
Another Hand – which can be found tucked away up on Deansgate Mews – opened back in 2022 to acclaim from critics and customers, as well as scooping up several awards along the way like Best Newcomer at the 2022 Manchester Food and Drink Awards, and places in the Michelin Guide and the Good Food Guide along the way.
Not only that, but the 24-seater intimate casual dining restaurant was also named as one of the best restaurants in Manchester merely three weeks ago by respected publication, Time Out.
Launched by the team behind 3 Hands Deli – which operated from a site two units down – Another Hand was known and loved for focusing on sharing plates made with produce from local ethical growers.
And it seemed to be going from strength to strength, but sadly, the restaurant took to social media yesterday to announce its decision to close ‘with immediate effect’.
Another Hand said in its statement on Instagram: “With heavy hearts we are sad to announce that after five years Another Hand will be closing its doors with immediate effect.
“Unfortunately, as most of us know, the current economic climate for the hospitality sector is facing steep challenges, sadly a familiar story. And after five years of operating within this increasingly challenging environment, we feel it’s time for us to step away.
“This isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly, but it feels like the right time to bring this chapter to an end.
“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built here. From the people who have worked alongside us, to the producers and suppliers who have supported us; and most importantly, everyone who has come through the door and eaten with us…. thank you.
How will the Government’s new digital ID alternative for alcohol sales work?
Emily Sergeant
All licensed venues across England and Wales now have the choice to introduce digital proof of age for alcohol sales alongside physical.
Instead of having to hand over physical ID that contains personal information, such as names and home addresses, customers now have the choice to simply provide confirmation that they are 18 or over on their phone – helping to better protect privacy and personal safety in the process.
This means that, no matter whether you’re buying a drink at your favourite pub, heading to a festival, or enjoying a night out at a concert, you won’t need to worry if you’ve left your ID at home.
According to the Government, this new change will benefit businesses greatly too, as certified digital services are able to check that an ID is genuine and belongs to the person presenting it much easier than the alternative can, which therefore helps to reduce the risk of any fake or borrowed IDs going undetected.
Well, according to the Government, it could be as simple as a customer showing a QR code for staff to scan, or tapping their phone against a compatible reader, where staff will then receive a clear confirmation on their device that the customer has passed the age check.
This change follows a 2024 Government consultation where it was reported that 72% of respondents supported the use of digital identities for age verification when buying alcohol.
Digital Government Minister Stephanie Peacock reiterated that ‘it will remain an individual or business’ choice whether to use or adopt [digital ID]’ and that physical ID will ‘still remain a valid way’ for customers to prove their age.
“This groundbreaking change in the law will mean you do not need to carry a physical ID, nor hand over sensitive personal information such as your name or address just to prove your age, allowing everyone to feel safer on a night out,” she concluded.
Emily Sergeant -
14th October 2022 
