What Stourbridge MP said after being invited to Royal Mail drinks reception at Labour conference

A West Midland MP has fired a broadside at Royal Mail for inviting her to a drinks reception - while constituents continue to complain about poor services.

Cat Eccles, MP for Stourbridge, revealed that the beleaguered postal operator had invited her to share in cocktails and canapes at an event on the opening day of the Labour Party conference in Liverpool later this month.

The invitation, which opened with the slogan, ‘signed, sealed, sipped’, promised Royal Mail themed cocktails, specially created for the conference, with the minister responsible for postal services saying a few words.

But Miss Eccles said she would prefer to see the company focus on improving its services and improving staff morale.

She said: “Royal Mail have invited me to a drinks reception at Labour Party conference.

“At the same time, people across Stourbridge, Brierley Hill and Netherton are telling me about delayed post, missed deliveries and the frustration of waiting for important letters that should have arrived days earlier.

“What’s even more concerning is the pressures being placed on our hardworking local postal workers, many of whom are being asked to carry out unrealistic workloads day after day.”

Last month it was revealed that Royal Mail had fallen short of its delivery targets once again, though it said it was showing signs of improvements as it implemented a major shake-up of the service, which included an end to Saturday second class deliveries.

During the first three months of this year, the company delivered 85 per cent of first-class mail the next day and 91.4 per cent of second-class items within three working days.

Regulator Ofcom requires 90 per cent of first-class post to arrive on the following day, and while 95 per cent of second-class letters within three days.

Miss Eccles added: “I’m sure the canapes and themed cocktails - hopefully with an alcohol-free option - will be very nice, but I’d rather see Royal Mail’s senior management focus their attention on improving deliveries, supporting staff and restoring confidence in the service.

“I might just attend and make that point directly.”