The GCA’s work to protect and promote card sending continues with CEO Amanda Fergusson speaking to BBC radio stations across the country on 24th March 2026, the day that the Business & Trade Select Committee called Royal Mail and Ofcom into the Houses of Parliament to answer MPs questions on the Letters post. The GCA has also written to both the BTC chair The Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP, and Ofcom’s Group Director Networks and Communication following the HoP session.
Having long campaigned for MPs to focus on the Letter’s service, the GCA were pleased to see the parliamentary scrutiny members’ have fought for. See PGBuzz report of the session.
The GCA is also grateful that Ofcom has taken up our point of pausing the review of 2nd class price cap.
Regular meetings continue, with both the new team at Royal Mail and Ofcom, as the GCA continues to represent members interests.
Reliability and Affordability
A postal service that is reliable and affordable are key for our industry and the consumers we serve. Many GCA members continue to report poor service affecting their businesses. The GCA wrote again to Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP, highlighting the issues for our industry, ahead of this session and following Liam Byrne’s letter to Royal Mail.
Card consumers are increasingly turning to the 2nd class stamp to send their cards and because the USO carries an obligation on Royal Mail to keep the price in line with inflation, it remains affordable and progressively important. Ofcom is planning a review of this USO capping mechanism with a report due in 2027. Following meetings with Ofcom the GCA submitted an addendum in February 2026, to our GCA submission to the Ofcom December 2025 Call for Input, asking for reliability issues to be fixed before any price review. We were therefore pleased to hear that Ofcom has now paused this review for the moment.
Championing greeting card sending across the country
GCA CEO Amanda Fergusson spoke to BBC radio listeners across the country about the joy of seeing a handwritten card on the doormat — a reminder of why the UK’s £1.53bn greeting card industry remains so strong. Sharing statistics from last years GCA Conference, including that an impressive 92% of people buy greeting cards – more than tea or toothpaste, showing just how deeply cards are woven into British life.
Amanda shared an insight into the businesses that make up the UK card industry, and how we rely on Royal Mail, also highlighting that with 80% of cards bought in bricks-and-mortar shops, a strong postal network helps keep the High Street thriving.
Amanda welcomed recent Royal Mail advertising that has recognised the importance of greeting cards.
Members continue to report postal issues, and Ofcom’s fines in recent years reflect the scale of the challenge. The GCA remains ready to help drive improvements.
“ We want to see the Royal Mail succeed — but improving service must come before any review of the 2nd class price cap. Asking consumers to pay more before reliability is restored risks undermining trust”.
A good outcome is clear: greeting cards rely on delivery that is reliable and predictable. Consumers will accept slower delivery — but only if it remains affordable and dependable.
