Royal Mail Letter Price Changes
The Royal Mail has started a new chapter in it's history, with the introduction of Pricing in Proportion, a system that will revolutionise the way they charge for letters and packets. The change means that the price of postage will now be based not just on weight, but on size as well.

Previously, the prices Royal Mail charged for letters to be delivered were entirely based on weight, which does not entirely reflect the actual underlying costs. Smaller items of mail are less expensive to sort and process, whereas it costs more to sort, handle and deliver big envelopes and packets - so Royal Mail accept that prices should reflect this.

From the 21st August 2006, a new system was introduced, where by two different types of 1st and 2nd Class mail will be charged. For those of us who send standard letters, nothing will change. But the larger letters and packets, Royal Mail will be introducing a new Large letter stamp to cover the cost of 1st and 2nd class mail. The Large stamp 30mm x 24mm will be marked in the bottom left corner with the words 'Large' to differentiate the stamp is for use on the new pricing strategy.

The new stamps are available from Post Offices from the 1st August 2006. Letter stamps of the original size 20mm x 24mm are priced at the standard rate, 1st class at 32p and 2nd class at 23p. The new Large Letter stamps will be valued with 1st at 44p and 2nd at 37p. Royal Mail plan to introduce two additional definitive stamps at 12p and 14p, which will help 'make up' the difference in price between Letter Stamps and Large Letter.

Full details of the biggest change in postal pricing since the introduction of the Penny Black, see the Royal Mail website, www.royalmail.com