How much ?

[Protagoras]

"The price of stamps has risen again, as the postal service faces criticism for failing to hit delivery targets.
A first class stamp now costs £1.80 - an increase of 10p - while a second class letter has risen by 4p to 91p."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mj4mkk94mo

This looks like some sort of demand - price spiral. The price goes up, demand goes down, so the price goes up again to maintain margin at the reduced demand level. Meanwhile, costs go up - more addresses, fuel costs, labour costs.

I'm sure I'm not alone in now sending almost no letters; Christmas cards sent by post are a thing of the past.

Can this even survive as a service?

[tazdevil]

Can this even survive as a service?

No. I think last year was the last we'll be sending Christmas cards which is the only stamped messaging we do.

[ladymuck]

I still send birthday and Christmas cards, although the list of recipients is getting ever shorter.

I used to do postal surveys and got "paid" in stamps. I converted my stash over to the new barcode style and have enough to see me out, I suspect.

[edison]

"The price of stamps has risen again, as the postal service faces criticism for failing to hit delivery targets.
A first class stamp now costs £1.80 - an increase of 10p - while a second class letter has risen by 4p to 91p."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mj4mkk94mo

This looks like some sort of demand - price spiral. The price goes up, demand goes down, so the price goes up again to maintain margin at the reduced demand level. Meanwhile, costs go up - more addresses, fuel costs, labour costs.


Can this even survive as a service?

I think you are right. It's almost as if Royal Mail, under it's new billionaire foreign owner, has no interest in maintaining the universal service and only cares about the profitable parcel delivery arm.

[financial analyst]

It will soon be cheaper to put the letter in a box and send it as a parcel!