Mims Davies MP was pleased to join Royal Mail in Parliament with fellow Sussex MPs to discuss constituents' concerns.
Mims shared, at one point in the cold month of December, there were 40-50 residents queueing for their post outside the Haywards Heath Royal Mail office. John Doyle, Royal Mail Regional Operations Director, expressed concerns on this and said they are now running at an increased 93% rate. John is also using 200 agency staff per week and hired 150 extra vehicles since he’s been in post.
Royal Mail shared the delays residents are experiencing have been as a result of staff shortages, including a high degree of sickness and an aging workforce. To overcome this, they have been recruiting and hiring local residents and the Royal Mail team mentioned there will be an open day in Haywards Heath soon. Mims has asked what the date will be and will share the details with residents as soon as she hears.
Issues have been experienced recruiting in Sussex as they are competing with Gatwick Airport and the Brighton hospitality sector for staff which doesn't help our local team with delivering on their services and the local team have been frustrated at the slow recruitment and processes. However, they are working extremely hard to push through this barrier we have been assured and hire local, hard-working residents to help them provide improved services to the community. Available jobs can be found here:
Mims Davies MP said:
"I'd like to thank the Royal Mail team for taking the time to join myself and fellow Sussex MP colleagues to discuss residents' concerns. Including their Regional Operations Director, John Doyle, and Head of Public Affairs at Royal Mail, Fiona Hamilton and for Maria Caufield MP my neighbouring colleague for chairing this frank meeting on behalf of constituents.
It was good to meet with them and discuss the future of the Post Office network, including its future size and shape as the needs of our Sussex communities evolve but most importantly to hear how their plans to improve services will be delivered.
I know from my recent meeting with the local team at their Haywards Heath sorting office, just how incredibly hard they are all continuously working. I shared residents' deep concerns, and they are very much listening and trying to recruit more brilliant posties to increase their services, delivery team, and number of letters and packages delivered."
Please take 5 minutes to complete Mims Davies MP's online survey regarding local Royal Mail services, as the results can be share during the next meeting.
