Letter: Accidental discovery of postage price rise

Sir: By accident I discovered that last Monday, at a time when inflation is supposed to be under 2 per cent, first-class mail was increased by 4.17 per cent and second-class by 5.6 per cent. There was no notice to this effect in my local post office. I was told that announcements had been made in the press. Further, I learnt that first- and second-class stamps bought before the increase were still valid, but stamps marked 18p and 24p no longer were.

Though not an enthusiast for further privatisation, I believe that only a state-run commercial organisation could behave in such a way.

Yours faithfully,

H. N. BEST

Ilminster, Somerset

6 November