Royal Mail reveals exact amount price of first class stamps will rise within WEEKS

THE Royal Mail has revealed how much the price of first class stamps will rise by within just weeks.

The firm has announced they will go up from £1.10 to £1.25 on October 2.

However, second class stamps will remain at the same price – 75p.

The delivery company said first class stamps were rising in price as it faced “increasing cost pressures”.

It also said the lack of reform of the universal service obligation (USO) had contributed to the need to hike prices.

The USO forces Royal Mail to deliver letters six days a week to all 32million UK address for the same price.

Nick Landon, the firms chief commercial officer, said: “We understand the economic challenges that many of our customers are currently facing and have considered the price changes very carefully in light of the significant decline in letter volumes.

“Letter volumes have reduced dramatically over recent years, down more than 60% from their peak in 2004/5 and 30% since the pandemic.”

It comes after the Royal Mail raised the price of first class stamps by 15p from 95p to £1.10 in March.

Meanwhile, second class stamps rose from 68p to 75p.

The Royal Mail charges more for first class stamps as they ensure your letter gets to its destination faster.

Generally, a letter with a first class stamp on it will arrive at the intended address the next working day.

Meanwhile, it takes up to three working days for second class items to arrive.

Depending on the size of your letter, you may have to pay more for a first or second class stamp.

Currently, any letters over 35.3cm long, 25cm wide and 2.5cm thick and up to a weight of 100g, will cost £1.60 to send first class.

Meanwhile, it will cost you £1.15 to go second class.

It comes after the Royal Mail ousted old-style stamps and replaced them with barcoded ones in July.

The business said the move would make letters more secure.

Anyone who still has these old-style stamps and uses them may have to pay a surcharge.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

You can also join our new Sun Money to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.