Britain’s postal operator Royal Mail sacks 2,000 staff

The former state-run company revealed a cost-cutting overhaul in its annual results that showed the pandemic had sparked a jump in demand for parcels

Since Britain’s lockdown was imposed on March 23, Royal Mail employees have enjoyed an elevated status with the UK public

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A Royal Mail delivery man looks at a ‘closed’ sign on a pub as he does his rounds amid the pandemic in Richmond, London. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:12pm, 25 Jun 2020Updated: 9:12pm, 25 Jun 2020

Britain’s postal operator Royal Mail, whose workers have helped the nation cope with the coronavirus lockdown, said Thursday it will axe 2,000 management jobs.

The former state-run company revealed a cost-cutting overhaul in its annual results that showed the Covid-19 outbreak had sparked a jump in demand for parcels.

Royal Mail however continued to suffer from a slump in its core letters business.

“In recent years, our UK business has not adapted quickly enough to the changes in our marketplace of more parcels and fewer letters,” Royal Mail’s executive chairman Keith Williams said in a statement. “Covid-19 has accelerated those trends, presenting additional challenges.”

Royal Mail delivery vans are seen at the Mount Pleasant sorting office in London. Photo: AFP

Williams, a former British Airways executive, is heading Royal Mail on a temporary basis after the sudden departure last month of controversial CEO Rico Back.

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