Post Office should swap stamps for free

MOST Royal Mail postage stamps without a barcode will no longer be valid after January 31, and the Royal Mail is operating a “Stamp Swap Out Scheme” enabling people to exchange any stamps they have for the new barcoded stamps.

This does not offer a secure method to send stamps to the Royal Mail for exchange; they need to be posted to a freepost address, “Freepost Swap Out”. This obviously indicates the contents of the envelope being sent to it; accordingly, it makes the item vulnerable to theft.

The “Royal Mail UK Signed For” service may be used offering compensation to the value of £50 if the item is lost, or stolen, and the cost starts at £2.35. If a higher value of compensation is needed the “Royal Mail Special Delivery, Guaranteed Delivery by 13.00” service offering insurance up to £500 may be used, the cost starts at £6.85.

It is unethical that the Royal Mail is not providing a free, secure, method for people to exchange their old postage stamps for the new barcoded variety when this change is for their benefit; they should be instructed by the Government to introduce one.

Keith Alderman Wickenden Road, Sevenoaks