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Stamp prices set to rise again.

Royal Mail has announced a significant increase in the cost of postage stamps from 7 April.

The price of a first class stamp will rise by 10p to £1.80, the latest increase that has seen prices nearly triple over the past decade.

Royal Mail uses a cost-plus pricing strategy to set prices. Rising operational costs of the delivery network have prompted the latest increase.

The number of addresses that Royal Mail services across the UK has grown by around 14% to 32 million.

The total volume of letters being posted has dropped by 70% in the last 20 years. This means a rise in the cost per letter delivered.

UK adults now spend, on average, £6.50 per year on stamps.

Citizens Advice argues that stamp prices should not be increased given Royal Mail's poor delivery record. The organisation has not met its delivery targets for more than five years,.

In the 2024–25 period, postal regulator Ofcom found that almost a quarter of first class post arrived late. This resulted in fines of £21 million.