MoD sign postal agreement with Royal Mail

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a new agreement with Royal Mail, involving the British Forces Post Office (BFPO), aimed at enabling service personnel posted overseas to keep in touch with friends and family at affordable rates.

The £11 million agreement was signed by Lieutenant General Paul Jaques, chief of Materiel for Defence Equipment and Support, procurement organisation for the MoD, and will see the continuation of the carriage of post by the Royal Mail to and from service personnel based overseas.

The contract means sending mail to personnel overseas will remain at inland UK prices, while service men and women on operation will continue to contact friends and family at home free of charge.

Jaques said: “There is nothing like getting a letter from back home, whether you’re a few hours away or on the other side of the world. This deal will ensure that friends and family members can continue to support our troops with letters, parcels and packages, without incurring extra postage costs.

“It is crucial that Service personnel, who work so hard to keep Britain safe, both at home and abroad, have the support of agreements like this one between the government and Royal Mail as part of the Armed Forces Covenant.”

Mike Newnham, Royal Mail’s chief customer officer, said: “Royal Mail is delighted that its long standing contract with the British Forces Post Office is continuing. We are proud to play our part in delivering mail to our armed forces stationed around the world.”

The Forces Mail Settlement will be in action until March 2020.