Royal Mail has issued a fresh operational update for Monday, 22 December 2025, confirming that deliveries and collections are taking place across the UK today—but warning that a small number of delivery offices are still facing disruption, which can lead to later-than-usual deliveries in certain areas. Royal Mail
With Christmas just days away, the latest update will matter to anyone waiting on cards, letters, medication, or last-minute parcels—and to households already reporting that post has been arriving in batches after long gaps rather than on a regular daily round.
Below is what Royal Mail says is happening, why it’s happening, and the full list of postcode districts currently flagged as most impacted.
What Royal Mail said in the 22 December service update
In its daily service bulletin, Royal Mail said its air and road networks operated to schedule over the weekend, but highlighted one processing issue that may still be rippling through parts of the system. Royal Mail
Nottingham Mail Centre delays
Royal Mail reported that Nottingham Mail Centre did not process and despatch all mail to schedule over the weekend, meaning some items may arrive later than planned—specifically:
- Some mail posted on Friday in the DE and NG postcode areas for delivery on Saturday. Royal Mail
Why deliveries can be delayed even when the network is running
Royal Mail’s update also repeats an important point that helps explain why some streets may see irregular deliveries:
- Royal Mail says it aims to deliver to all addresses six days a week, but in a small number of local offices this may temporarily not be possible due to high sick absence, resourcing, or other local factors. Royal Mail
- Where that happens, Royal Mail says it will rotate deliveries “to minimise the delay to individual customers” and provide targeted support to restore service levels. Royal Mail
That “rotation” approach is one reason customers sometimes report that letters arrive all at once after several days (or longer) of little or no post.
Full list: 92 postcode districts most affected (Royal Mail update, 22 December 2025)
Royal Mail’s bulletin lists the delivery offices it says are currently the most impacted. Taken together, the areas below cover 92 postcode districts. Royal Mail
Scotland
- Altens DO: AB10, AB11, AB12, AB35
- Dyce DO: AB21
- Westhill DO: AB13, AB14, AB32
- Dundee East DO: DD4, DD5, DD7
- Glasgow G52 DO: G52, G53
- Erskine DO: PA7, PA8
- Johnstone DO: PA5, PA6, PA9, PA10, PA12
- Paisley DO: PA1, PA2, PA3
- Renfrew DO: PA4
Northern Ireland
- Belfast West DO: BT10, BT11, BT12, BT17
- Lisburn DO: BT26, BT27, BT28
- Londonderry DO: BT47, BT48
North East England
- Ashington DO: NE22, NE62, NE63, NE64
- Seaham DO: SR7
Midlands and East of England
- Dunstable DO: LU5, LU6
- Lichfield DO: WS7, WS13, WS14
- Tipton DO: DY4
- Nottingham South DO: NG2, NG12
- Sleaford DO: NG34
London
- Brixton DO: SW2
South West England
- Bristol East DO: BS5
- Clevedon DO: BS21, BS49
- Dursley DO: GL11, GL12, GL13
- Gloucester North DO: GL3, GL4
- Callington DO: PL17, PL18
North West England
- Northwich DO: CW8, CW9
- St Helens DO: WA9, WA10, WA11
- Warrington DO: WA1, WA2, WA4, WA5, WA55
- Wigan DO: WN1, WN2, WN3, WN4, WN5, WN6
- Stalybridge SUDO: SK15
Yorkshire and the Humber
- Pontefract DO: WF7, WF8, WF9, WF11
- Whitwood DO: WF6, WF10
Cumbria
- Egremont DO: CA21, CA22, CA23, CA24, CA25, CA27
- Whitehaven DO: CA18, CA19, CA20, CA26, CA28
Royal Mail notes that if you need to collect an item for which you’ve received a ‘Something for You’ card, you should check its Customer Service Point locations and opening hours. Royal Mail
“I only get post every couple of weeks”: what disruption looks like for households
Beyond the official list of impacted areas, public frustration is rising in places where residents say deliveries feel sporadic or inconsistent.
A recent local report in Folkestone described a resident who said they only receive post every couple of weeks, with letters arriving in large batches rather than daily—calling the situation “not good enough.” Facebook
Royal Mail’s own operational explanation—temporary gaps in some delivery offices, managed by rotating rounds—helps explain how that kind of “batch delivery” pattern can happen during periods of staff shortage or local operational strain. Royal Mail
Why some people may receive parcels ahead of letters
In the final run-up to Christmas, many households pay closest attention to parcels—but complaints often focus on letters, especially when important documents appear to be slow.
Royal Mail has also been preparing customers for longer-term changes to letter delivery under reforms to the Universal Service Obligation (USO) announced by Ofcom in 2025. Royal Mail
What’s changing (but not immediately)
Royal Mail says reforms include:
- 2nd Class and other non‑1st Class letters delivered every other weekday (Monday to Friday), with an aim to deliver 2nd Class within three weekdays. Royal Mail
- Parcels continuing up to seven days a week, and 1st Class letters continuing six days a week (Mon–Sat). Royal Mail
However, Royal Mail also says it is pausing further changes over the Christmas period and expects implementation to begin from early 2026, with change rolled out over time. Royal Mail
Ofcom’s own monitoring report adds another key detail: it says Royal Mail has not implemented the USO reform changes beyond existing pilot sites, pending agreement with the Communication Workers Union (CWU). www.ofcom.org.uk
The practical takeaway for customers right now: Christmas-week disruption is being driven more by local operational pressures (staffing/resourcing and backlogs) than by any nationwide “switch” to a new schedule—though reforms are coming. Royal Mail+2Royal Mail+2
Christmas 2025 last posting dates: what can still arrive in time?
If you’re sending something today (22 December), Royal Mail’s published Christmas schedule shows most standard options have already passed their “last posting” deadlines.
Royal Mail’s last inland posting dates (Christmas 2025) are: Royal Mail
- 2nd Class / 2nd Class Signed For: Wednesday 17 December
- Tracked 48: Friday 19 December
- 1st Class / 1st Class Signed For: Saturday 20 December
- Tracked 24: Sunday 21 December
- Special Delivery Guaranteed:Tuesday 23 December Royal Mail
So, if you’re reading this on 22 December, the premium option most likely to still meet a Christmas deadline is Special Delivery Guaranteed (by 23 December)—though customers should also factor in any local service disruption in their area. Royal Mail+1
The bigger picture: Ofcom fined Royal Mail £21m over delivery performance
The latest postcode disruption update lands amid ongoing regulatory pressure on Royal Mail’s performance.
In October 2025, Ofcom announced it had fined Royal Mail £21 million for missing its delivery targets in the 2024/25 financial year, stating that:
- Royal Mail delivered 77% of First Class mail on time (target 93%)
- and 92.5% of Second Class mail on time (target 98.5%). www.ofcom.org.uk
Ofcom said Royal Mail must urgently publish and deliver a credible improvement plan, warning that fines are likely to continue without meaningful progress. www.ofcom.org.uk
Ofcom also noted it introduced new enforceable “backstop” targets aimed at tackling the kind of extreme delays that leave some letters taking weeks to arrive. www.ofcom.org.uk
What to do if your post is delayed
If you’re in (or near) one of the postcode districts listed in the service update, the most useful steps are practical:
- Check Royal Mail’s daily Service Update list
The impacted-delivery-office list can change day-to-day. Royal Mail - If you have a ‘Something for You’ card, confirm where to collect
Royal Mail advises checking Customer Service Point details and opening hours. Royal Mail - Be realistic about delivery times during peak week
Royal Mail notes it can’t guarantee standard post arrives at the same time daily and generally aims to deliver by 4:30pm Monday to Saturday. Royal Mail Help - If you’re still sending something urgent, use the fastest remaining option
For inland UK, Royal Mail lists Special Delivery Guaranteed as the latest posting option (deadline 23 December). Royal Mail
Bottom line
Royal Mail’s 22 December 2025 update makes clear that while nationwide deliveries and collections are running, a defined set of local delivery offices—covering 92 postcode districts—may continue to see delays due to staffing and resourcing pressures. Royal Mail
For households already experiencing “batch deliveries” after long gaps, the combination of rotated local rounds, seasonal pressure, and wider service-reform scrutiny is likely to keep the issue in sharp focus—especially as customers enter the final hours for sending anything guaranteed to arrive before Christmas. Royal Mail+2Royal Mail+2
