Royal Mail proposes up to 2,500 support job cuts

Royal Mail is proposing to cut up to 2,500 head-office and support-function jobs by the end of 2027, in an organisational review that remains subject to consultation. The company has not provided a breakdown of how many affected positions are in London, despite the proposals covering staff at its central London headquarters as well as support functions more broadly. Royal Mail said the reductions would be managed through natural attrition and voluntary redundancy, with no compulsory redundancies planned. It also said frontline delivery and processing roles, including posties and drivers, would not be reduced. The company has briefed the Communication Workers Union and Unite CMA, which represents managers, and formal consultation is under way. The proposed maximum is less than 2% of Royal Mail’s workforce of more than 131,000, according to the company. The precise number of jobs ultimately affected will depend on the consultation. Royal Mail has not set out how many of the proposed reductions would be in London or elsewhere in the UK. Chief executive Alistair Cochrane said the changes were intended to lower costs, simplify processes and remove duplication.