Royal Mail plans 2,500 head-office job cuts by end of 2027

Royal Mail plans to cut 2,500 head-office and support-function roles, about 2 percent of its 131,000-strong workforce, by the end of 2027, citing competition and falling letter demand.

Why it matters: The cuts land as the formerly state-owned carrier faces fines over missed delivery targets and a union backlash, with over 100 MPs raising service complaints to Ofcom.

Data as of BBC reporting published October 7, 2026. Single-sourced to BBC News; union and company statements not independently corroborated in this pass.

Royal Mail plans to cut 2,500 head-office and support-function roles by the end of 2027, roughly 2 percent of its 131,000 staff, through voluntary redundancies and natural departures, the BBC reported Wednesday. Frontline posties and drivers are excluded; chief executive Alistair Cochrane said the move removes duplication and frees investment for customer service.

The announcement comes with formal consultation underway with the CWU and Unite unions. The CWU called the cuts evidence of a company “demoralising staff,” while owner EP Group’s Daniel Kretinsky reiterated he will not walk away from the six-day-a-week Universal Service Obligation while running the service.

Royal Mail plans 2,500 head-office job cuts by end of 2027

Sources