Postal Services Bill [Bill 78 of 2010-11]

This Paper has been prepared for the Second Reading debate in the House of Commons of the Postal Services Bill. The Bill has four main parts. Part 1 provides for changes to the ownership structure of Royal Mail Holdings plc and its subsidiaries (including Post Office Ltd). Part 2 provides for Royal Mail’s historic pension deficit to be transferred to government. Part 3 provides for changes in the regulatory arrangements for postal services and Part 4 provides for a “special administration regime” should there be a risk to the universal postal service from the possibility of the provider becoming insolvent.