The cost of sending a letter is set to rise next year because Royal Mail is increasing the price of stamps.
A first class stamp will cost 9p more from January, rising from 76p to 85p.
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And a second class stamp will set you back 1p more, costing 66p Royal Mail has announced.
Bosses said they have “considered any pricing changes very carefully” due to the coronavirus pandemic but that rises were “necessary to help ensure the sustainability” of the mail service.
The new prices will come in from January 1.
Stamp prices only went up in March this year, with first class stamps increasing by 6p – from 70p to 76p.
And the price of second class stamps increased by 4p, rising from 61p to 65p.
It means that by January stamp prices will be 13p higher for first class and 7p higher for second class than a year earlier in January 2020.
The price hike comes just weeks after Royal Mail revealed letter volumes have fallen 28% in the six months to September 27, compared with a year earlier.
Royal Mail said: “The reduction in letter volumes has had a significant impact on the finances of the universal service which lost £180million in the first half of the year.
“This demonstrates the need for change in the universal service.
“We are working tirelessly to deliver the most comprehensive service we can in difficult circumstances as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact our operation.”
Defending the price rises, the company added that the covid-19 pandemic had cost it £85million as it had to pay for protective equipment, covering absences, overtime and agency staff.
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