Constituents and local businesses have contacted her office outlining missed deliveries, long delays and uncertainty around post that people rely on every day, including time sensitive correspondence and essential business mail. Ms Lockhart has now written formally to Royal Mail Group calling for urgent answers and accountability at senior management level.

Speaking on the issue, Carla Lockhart MP said:

“Over recent weeks I have been hearing directly from constituents across Upper Bann who are experiencing unacceptable delays to their post. People pay for a service and quite rightly expect that service to be delivered.

“This is having a real impact on households and businesses alike, particularly at a time of year when pressures are already high. Postal services are an essential public service and reliability matters.

“I want to be absolutely clear that this is not about blaming postmen and women. Frontline staff continue to work hard in challenging conditions and often go above and beyond for their communities. I look forward to visiting local delivery offices to meet staff and hear their concerns first hand.

“However, management and leadership must take responsibility for ongoing service failures. Strategic decisions, workforce planning and service standards sit firmly with those in senior positions, and it is they who must be held accountable.

“Customers deserve reliability, transparency and value for money. I have asked for a meeting with senior representatives of Royal Mail to press for answers, understand what has gone wrong and what immediate and longer term steps will be taken to restore confidence in the service.

“I will continue to raise these issues robustly on behalf of the people of Upper Bann and ensure their concerns are heard.”

Carla Lockhart has encouraged constituents and businesses affected by postal delays to continue reporting issues to her office as she maintains pressure for improvements.