Guernsey's Saturday postal deliveries axed

A move to stop postal deliveries in Guernsey on a Saturday has been agreed by the States.

Deputies approved a change to the universal service obligation (USO), which governs the minimum deliveries Guernsey Post is required to make.

A company spokesman said it was pleased by the reduction to five deliveries.

He said the change would allow it to make "necessary savings" . The move has been supported by industry regulator, the Office of Utility Regulation.

Commerce and Employment Minister Carla McNulty Bauer said: "Together with other measures put in place by Guernsey Post's management it should enable the service to be placed on a sounder financial footing."

Further reductions

However, she warned it might not be the last change to the USO.

Deputy McNulty Bauer said: "There has been recent media coverage in the UK that Her Majesty's Treasury may be making further change to the Low Value Consignment Relief arrangements.

"If the UK Government does make further changes then it is highly likely the department will have to bring another report to look at further reductions in the scope of the universal service obligation."

The threshold for Low Value Consignment Relief means the price at which goods imported from outside the European Union are VAT-free.

Currently the level is under £18, but from November it will become less than £15.