Postcomm – the Postal Services Commission – is the independent regulator for the postal market. We were set up by the Postal Services Act 2000 and are classified as a non-ministerial government department with duties in relation to the universal service, consumers and competition.
Postcomm’s universal service duty is to exercise its functions in the manner it considers best calculated to ensure the provision of a universal postal service. This currently consists of the delivery and collection at least once every working day of mail (not exceeding 20kg in weight) and the provision of a registered postal service, all at affordable prices that are geographically uniform throughout the UK.
Postcomm is also charged with furthering the interests of users of postal services wherever appropriate by promoting effective competition between postal operators.
Postcomm has a further duty to exercise its functions in a manner which it considers is best calculated to promote efficiency and economy on the part of postal operators.
Finally, in performing all its duties, Postcomm must have regard to the need to ensure that licence holders are able to finance the activities authorised or required by their licences.
What do our economists do?
There are a small number of economists working within Postcomm that provide high-quality economic advice and analysis which plays a significant role in meeting the duties set out above.
Postcomm is a relatively small organisation and therefore all economists are given real responsibility in producing analysis, meeting stakeholders and presenting conclusions to senior staff. This offers economists a unique and exciting opportunity to work on a wide range of projects and have a real influence on the decisions that Postcomm makes.
Economists are likely to contribute to the following areas:
- Formulating policy relating to the regulatory framework
This could include assessing barriers to entry and how policy can remove these; understanding whether Royal Mail’s obligations in relation to the USO are a burden or not; and reviewing Royal Mail’s scope for greater cost efficiencies, its financial incentives and the implications of this for regulating its prices and service quality.
- Investigating allegations of anti-competitive practice
Economists will provide advice and analysis in relation to allegations of anti-competitive practice. Postcomm is currently investigating an allegation of anti-competitive pricing in relation to one of Royal Mail’s business services.
More information
For more details about becoming a Postcomm economist please contact Stephen Gibson (email: Stephen.gibson@psc.gov.uk).