Royal Mail has issued a major warning to customers across the UK as widespread delivery delays affect 25 postcode areas due to staffing shortages, resourcing challenges and a key transport breakdown. The disruption, impacting mail centres from the Home Counties to the East Midlands and Scotland, comes at a time when the service is already under scrutiny for failing to meet national delivery targets.
Royal Mail says teams are working urgently to stabilise operations and restore services in all affected regions.
Key Takeaways: Royal Mail Delivery Disruption Across 25 UK Postcodes
- 25 locations across the UK face delivery and collection delays due to sick absence and resourcing gaps.
- A breakdown of a Royal Mail vehicle travelling from the Midlands Hub has delayed mail for AL, EN, HP, LU, SG and WD postcodes.
- DE and NG mail centres, including Nottingham, are running behind schedule due to processing delays.
- Royal Mail recently received a £21 million fine by Ofcom for failing to meet delivery standards in 2024/25.
- Research from Royal Mail shows millennials earn an average £577/month from side hustles, a key focus of the company’s Means Business campaign.
Royal Mail Warns of Major Delays as Staffing and Logistic Issues Intensify
Royal Mail confirmed that multiple delivery offices across the UK are now facing disruptions due to high levels of sick absence, staff shortages and localised operational issues. The postal service apologised to customers, acknowledging that several communities may notice slower delivery and collection services throughout the day.
In a separate incident in the early hours, a vehicle travelling from the Midlands Hub to the Home Counties North Mail Centre broke down, causing further delays. Mail intended for AL, EN, HP, LU, SG and WD postcode areas will reach customers later than scheduled.
The organisation assured residents that additional support is being deployed:
“We’re sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.”
Full List of 25 Delivery Offices Experiencing Disruptions
Royal Mail published a detailed list of delivery offices reporting operational challenges today. These locations, covering Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, are the most affected:
| Region / Delivery Office | Affected Postcodes |
| Aboyne SUDO | AB34 |
| Altens DO | AB10, AB11, AB12, AB35 |
| Ashington DO | NE22, NE62–NE64 |
| Belfast West DO | BT10–BT12, BT17 |
| Bridge of Don DO | AB22, AB23 |
| Derwentside DO | DH8–DH9 |
| Dinnington DO | S25, S26 |
| Erskine DO | PA7–PA8 |
| Folkestone DO | CT18, CT19, CT20, CT50 |
| Glenrothes DO | KY6, KY7 |
| Gloucester North DO | GL3, GL4 |
| Hull Central DO | HU1–HU3, HU5, HU9, HU12, HU19 |
| Inverclyde DO | PA14–PA19 |
| Keith DO | AB55 |
| Kilwinning DO | KA13 |
| Lichfield DO | WS7, WS13, WS14 |
| Lisburn DO | BT26–BT28 |
| Lochgelly DO | KY5 |
| Plymouth North DO | PL2, PL3 |
| Pontefract DO | WF7, WF8, WF9, WF11 |
| Prescot DO | L34, L35 |
| Uddingston DO | G71 |
| Washington DO | NE37–NE38 |
| Whitehaven DO | CA18–CA20, CA26, CA28 |
| Whitwood DO | WF6, WF10 |
Royal Mail says targeted resources are being directed to these regions to reduce delays.
Mail Centres in the East Midlands Running Behind Schedule
Two major processing hubs — the DE (Derbyshire) and NG (Nottingham) postcode areas — have also reported challenges. Not all mail was processed or dispatched on schedule, meaning it will reach customers behind expected delivery times.
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These hubs handle substantial volumes of mail for the Midlands, amplifying the impact of delays across neighbouring communities.
Regulatory Pressure Mounts: Royal Mail Hit With £21 Million Fine
The delivery disruption follows a £21 million penalty announced by Ofcom, after Royal Mail failed to meet its delivery performance targets in the 2024/25 financial year.
Performance data showed:
- 77% of first-class mail delivered on time (target: 93%)
- 92.5% of second-class mail delivered on time (target: 98.5%)
This marks the third consecutive regulatory breach in recent years, following fines of £5.6m in 2023 and £10.5m in 2024.
Ofcom’s enforcement director Ian Strawhorne criticised the prolonged failures, stating:
“Millions of important letters are arriving late, and people aren’t getting what they pay for.”
The watchdog warned that unless Royal Mail presents a credible improvement plan, further penalties may follow.
Side-Hustle Economy: Royal Mail Highlights Growing Small Business Activity
Amid operational troubles, new Royal Mail research reveals striking trends in the UK’s growing side-hustle economy, a market increasingly supported by the postal network.
Key findings include:
- Millennials earn an average of £577 per month (£6,923 annually) through side hustles.
- 31% earn at least £400 every four weeks.
- 37% make more from their side hustle than their main salary — rising to 54% among Gen Z.
- Popular items sold:
- Old clothing (44%)
- Books (35%)
- Accessories (31%)
- Tech items (26%)
- Handcrafted products (22%)
- Old clothing (44%)
The findings support Royal Mail’s Means Business campaign, which offers guidance and services for small sellers through its Small Business Hub.
Chief Commercial Officer Saadi Al-Soudani emphasised that online marketplaces have made entrepreneurship accessible, noting that customers can now ship products easily through parcel shops, lockers or home pickups.
What This Nationwide Disruption Means for Customers
Royal Mail’s latest delay warning underscores the strain on its national operations as staffing shortages, logistical setbacks and regulatory pressure converge. While workers are being redirected to stabilise affected centres, customers across 25 postcode regions should prepare for slower deliveries in the short term.
The company maintains that restoring consistent service levels is a top priority, but today’s alert shows that challenges within the network remain significant.
FAQs on Royal Mail Delivery Delays Across 25 UK Postcodes
1. Why is Royal Mail experiencing delivery delays today?
Royal Mail delays are caused by high sick absence, resourcing issues, and a breakdown of a transport vehicle affecting multiple postcode areas.
2. Which postcode areas are most affected by Royal Mail delays?
AL, EN, HP, LU, SG, WD, along with DE and NG postcodes, plus 25 delivery offices nationwide, are facing significant delays.
3. How long will Royal Mail delivery delays last?
Royal Mail hasn’t provided a specific timeline but says targeted support is being deployed to restore normal operations as quickly as possible.
4. Has Royal Mail faced penalties for delivery failures?
Yes, Ofcom fined Royal Mail £21 million for missing delivery targets in 2024/25, following previous fines in 2023 and 2024.
5. What steps is Royal Mail taking to manage disruptions?
Royal Mail is reallocating resources, supporting affected delivery offices, and working to process delayed mail from impacted centres promptly.
