For decades, the sight of the postman on a Saturday morning was a reliable fixture of British life. But from now on, those arriving with second-class letters will become a thing of the past. Royal Mail has confirmed that, as part of a major overhaul of its postal service, second-class letters and cards will no longer be delivered on Saturdays, and will instead arrive only on alternate weekdays. The change, which is being rolled out across the UK in 2026, marks the most significant shake-up to the Universal Service Obligation (USO) in a generation.
The USO has long required Royal Mail to collect and deliver letters to every UK address six days a week. But a steep decline in letter volumes – and a 2025 reform by the communications regulator Ofcom – has prompted a rethink. In a leaflet distributed to households, Royal Mail explained that the alteration is "part of our effort to offer a more reliable and sustainable service shaped around how our customers send today." From now on, second-class post will be delivered on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday one week, and Tuesday-Thursday the following week. The target delivery time remains three working days, but the removal of Saturday means that a letter posted on a Thursday, for example, might not arrive until the following Tuesday.
“Royal Mail ends Saturday second-class deliveries in 2026 – what the change means for you.”
Royal Mail emphasised that first-class deliveries remain unaffected by these changes. The cost of a second-class stamp is 91p, and the maximum compensation for loss or damage is £20. The company said it would roll out the new schedule "across the UK in 2026."
Why this matters for UK readers For millions of households and businesses that rely on second-class post for bills, greetings cards, and official correspondence, the change means rethinking when to post items. The immediate practical impact is that letters posted on a Friday will not arrive until the following week – and possibly mid-week. Small businesses that send invoices or marketing materials by second-class will need to adjust their schedules. The end of Saturday delivery also signals a broader shift in the postal landscape: the Universal Service, once a sacred guarantee of daily mail, is being slimmed down to reflect modern habits. Ofcom's July 2025 reforms, which followed extensive consultation, explicitly acknowledged that fewer letters are being sent, and that the service must adapt to remain sustainable.
Key questions answered
Q: Will first-class post still be delivered on Saturdays? Yes. The change only applies to second-class letters and cards. First-class services, including Saturday delivery, remain unchanged.
Q: How much does a second-class stamp cost, and what is the compensation if a letter is lost? A standard second-class stamp costs 91p. The maximum compensation for loss or damage is £20.
Q: Why is Royal Mail making these changes? Ofcom reformed the Universal Service Obligation in July 2025 after a consultation, allowing Royal Mail to reduce second-class deliveries. The number of letters being sent has fallen sharply, and the changes aim to make the service more reliable and sustainable.
What happens next The alternate-day schedule for second-class mail will be phased in across the UK over the coming months. Royal Mail says it will inform customers as the changes reach their area. There is currently no indication that first-class services will be altered, but the Ofcom reforms leave open the possibility of further adjustments if letter volumes continue to decline. For now, the Saturday second-class delivery – a familiar part of the weekly routine – has become a memory.