The cost of sending a standard letter First Class has officially risen to £1.80 today, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. This latest 10p increase marks a significant milestone in the rapidly rising cost of postage, which has surged by approximately 137% since 2020.
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The following prices are now in effect across the UK:
| Postage Type | New Rate | Previous Rate |
| First Class (Standard) | £1.80 | £1.70 |
| First Class (Large) | £3.30 | £3.15 |
| Second Class (Standard) | 91p | 87p |
| Second Class (Large) | £1.55 | £1.55 (No change) |
Why is the price increasing?
Royal Mail attributes the hike to a “structural decline” in letter volumes, which have plummeted by 70% since their peak in 2004. As the company maintains the Universal Service Obligation (delivering to all UK addresses six days a week), the cost per letter has risen significantly.
What you need to know
- Validity of Old Stamps: Any “1st” or “2nd” class stamps you already own remain valid for their respective services. Because they represent a service level rather than a cash value, they effectively gain value today.
- The Barcode Rule: Ensure your stamps have a barcode. Older “non-barcoded” stamps are no longer accepted and will result in a surcharge for the recipient unless exchanged through the official Swap Out scheme.
- Service Standards: The price rise arrives alongside controversy regarding delivery reliability. Ofcom recently adjusted First Class targets downward, requiring only 90% of mail to arrive the next working day, down from the previous 93%.
