Royal Mail, the historic British postal service, has sparked disappointment among its workforce after quietly downgrading its traditional Christmas gift from first-class to second-class stamps. The change comes during the first festive season since Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský acquired the company's parent organisation.
A Festive Tradition Turns Sour
For years, Royal Mail has recognised its employees' hard work during the busy Christmas period by providing books of 50 or 100 first-class stamps. However, this year workers received a collection of 50 second-class stamps instead, causing bewilderment and frustration among the 130,000-strong workforce.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) expressed strong criticism of the decision. A CWU spokesperson stated: "The decision to send employees second class stamps this Christmas exemplifies the way Royal Mail has been treating its staff for a long time now." They emphasised that despite this development, postal workers would continue delivering first-class service to customers nationwide.
The Financial Implications
The cost-saving measure represents a significant reduction in the gift's nominal value. Since April, first-class stamps have cost £1.70 each, making a sheet of 50 worth £85 - more than double their 2020 price. Second-class stamps, by contrast, cost just 87p each, reducing the gift's face value to £43.50.
This change arrives as Royal Mail implements cuts to second-class deliveries, following recent adjustments to the universal service obligation that governs postal services across the UK.
Historical Context and Previous Gifts
Royal Mail traces its remarkable history back to 1516 when Henry VIII appointed the first "master of the posts". The service proudly claims to have been "delivering Christmas" for over 500 years.
Seasonal stamps have been a beloved feature since their introduction in 1966 under Labour postmaster general Tony Benn. This year's edition showcases biblical scenes illustrated by British artist Paula Doherty, continuing a tradition that has included notable designs such as Quentin Blake's 1993 rendition of Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol.
This isn't the first time Royal Mail's staff gifts have raised eyebrows. Previous years have seen workers receive packs of seeds and even combs - the latter proving particularly unpopular among bald employees.
A Royal Mail spokesperson defended the change, stating: "Every Christmas, Royal Mail recognises the hard work of colleagues in a number of ways, including a frontline bonus, free stamps and a wider recognition programme." They explained that second-class stamps were provided this year "to reflect recent changes to the universal service obligation and to help keep mail moving smoothly for customers throughout the festive season."
The timing of this year's gift delivery also differed from previous years, arriving earlier than the usual end-of-November dispatch, adding to workers' sense that this Christmas tradition has undergone fundamental changes under new ownership.
