Royal Mail says no deliveries or collections on Monday, 4 May
Royal Mail said there will be no deliveries or collections of mail on Monday, 4 May across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland because of the Early May Bank Holiday. Regular service was due to resume from Tuesday, 5 May, after the company operated as normal on Saturday, 2 May and carried out Sunday parcel deliveries on Sunday, 3 May.
“There will be no deliveries or collections of mail on Monday, 4 May,” Royal Mail said in its statement. The company also said it does not usually deliver or collect mail on public or local holidays, and that it delivers and collects mail on most days of the year, including Saturdays.
Royal Mail holiday service
The interruption landed against a wider service overhaul at Royal Mail. Last month, the company pledged to achieve its letter delivery targets by May 2027 as part of a £500 million transformation plan.
Alistair Cochrane, the chief executive, said: “We recognise our service hasn't always been the standard our customers rightly expect and we're determined to do better.” He added: “The plan we've set out today shows how we'll make a step change in performance across the UK, backed by £500 million of investment over the next five years.”
Ofcom targets and fines
The plan follows regulatory pressure. Ofcom fined Royal Mail £21 million in October for missing its targets, after the company delivered 77% of First Class post on time in 2024-25 and 92.5% of Second Class post on time in 2024-25.
From 1 April, Ofcom reduced the required First Class next-day delivery target from 93% to 90% and the Second Class three-day delivery target from 98.5% to 95%. Royal Mail said its reforms will scrap Saturday Second Class deliveries and switch postal rounds to alternate weekdays, with three days one week and two the next.
Daniel Kretinsky in Parliament
Royal Mail owner Daniel Kretinsky told the Commons Business select committee: “Of course I am deeply sorry for any letters that arrive late.” He also said: “It is not perfect, but it is not catastrophic.”
The bank holiday pause was short, but it came as the company continues to defend its delivery record and explain how it intends to meet targets already reduced by the regulator.
