Rising costs for the business, including fuel and distribution costs across the network and an increase in costs from other partners is having an effect on the price of postal products and services for Island customers. Despite this news, Isle of Man Post Office’s postal rates will continue to be one of the lowest in Europe when they increase next month and the increase is lower than other postal administrations. However there is some good news for friends and family of BFPO personnel as for the fourth successive year, they can continue to send their loved ones standard letters and parcels up to 2kg to any British Forces Post Office address (BFPO) free of charge. The wide variety of Parcelforce services will not be affected by the price increases neither will there will be any changes in the price of Keepsafe (which looks after your mail while you are off Island), the response service handling fee, international ReDirect (which moves your mail when you move house), handling fee surcharges, single collection fee and local to local parcels. With effect from April 4, changes to postage and ancillary services rates will be introduced. Local and UK letter rates will rise by 2p with the price of a standard letter up to 100g for Isle of Man addresses rising to 37p and 38p for UK addresses. The guaranteed next-day Special Delivery service, airmail letters, international packets, surface mail and ancillary services including Isle of Man & UK ReDirect (which moves your mail when you move house) and Airsure (fast international service) will be subject to price changes. Alan Crowe MLC, Chairman of Isle of Man Post Office, said: “We are fighting to contain costs as much as we can and therefore our increase is as low as was possible. Royal Mail is increasing its stamp prices by 5 pence and we are only increasing ours by 2 pence. Not only is our increase less but our prices will still remain one of the lowest in Europe. An increase illustrates the need for our core business to counteract the current fall in volume at a loss of ?1m per year.” He added: “This year Isle of Man Post Office will be continuing to diversify commercially with the introduction of some new products and services. These are still in keeping with the traditional postal market but incorporate the changes in digital technology. We are seeing a 10% decline in mail volumes and this is forecast to continue. Therefore the need to bridge the gap in revenue is more relevant than ever, especially as we contribute 50% of our profits each year to the Isle of Man Government, helping towards building schools, providing healthcare and other essential components that make our Island such an enjoyable place to live and work.” -Ends-