It’s coming to that time of year when you have to decide if you’re going to cough up for those old fashioned Christmas cards, or whether you’re going to go green and send electronic cards or simply not bother. For many however Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without a mantle piece covered in cards conveying seasons greatings from their loved ones and this year stamps cost more than ever before.
To help those on benefits, as previously announced in March, Royal Mail is now rolling out its Christmas stamp scheme to enable the less well off to purchase First and Second Class stamps at 2011 prices from the 6th of November until Christmas Eve. If you’re in receipt of Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance or Incapacity Benefit you’ll be able to buy a total of 36 First and Second Class stamps at 2011 prices, that’s 46p (instead of 60p) for First Class and 36p (instead of 50p) for Second Class.
It’s only a small saving, but it is £5.04 off a bill of either £21.60 or £18.00, depending whether you plump for first or second class stamps which is a hefty discount.
Will you be posting cards this year, either personally or from your business? With the recession still biting it will be interesting to see if the number of cards declines significantly this year, whether it be caused by the rising cost of stamps and cards, or simply people not having as much spare cash as in previous years.
There’s one card everyone should receive though, from the 8th of October Royal Mail will be sending a leaflet to every home in the UK with further details of the Christmas stamp scheme. It will include a voucher which will need to be presented at the Post Office along with proof of benefit entitlement from the Department for Work and Pensions in order to get the discounted stamps for those who are eligible.
2 Responses
I got the leaflet yesterday. Wonder what that cost?
Are there any ebay sellers claiming benefits?