Postal Services Act 2011
Sections 65 to 67 of the Postal Services Act 2000 (which contain restrictions on the issue and transfer of shares and share rights in Royal Mail Holdings plc and its relevant subsidiaries) are repealed.
But see section 4 of this Act (which imposes restrictions on the issue and transfer of shares and share rights in a Post Office company etc).
This section applies where the Secretary of State—
has decided to undertake a particular kind of relevant disposal, or
has decided that another person may undertake a particular kind of relevant disposal.
As soon as reasonably practicable after making the decision, the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a report on the proposed disposal.
The report must state—
the kind of relevant disposal intended to be undertaken,
the expected time-scale for undertaking it, and
the objective intended to be achieved by the undertaking of it.
The report must— In paragraph (b) “employee share scheme” has the meaning given by section 3.
contain information about the expected commercial relationship, after the proposed disposal, between the Royal Mail company in question and any Post Office company, and
if the proposed disposal would result in shares or share rights being owned by or on behalf of an employee share scheme for the first time, give details of the scheme.
In this Part “relevant disposal” means—
the issue or transfer of shares in a company the effect of which is to reduce the proportion of a Royal Mail company owned by the Crown, or
the issue or transfer of share rights to a person the effect of which would be, if the shares to which the share rights relate were issued or transferred to the person, to reduce the proportion of a Royal Mail company owned by the Crown.
In this Part “Royal Mail company” means a company that—
provides a universal postal service, and
is or has at any time been in the same group as—
the original holding company, or
another company that is or has at any time been a Royal Mail company.
The Secretary of State must ensure that arrangements are made, before the time at which the first relevant disposal is made in relation to a Royal Mail company, for the establishment of an employee share scheme.
Those arrangements must secure that if at any time the proportion of the company owned by the Crown is reduced to nil, the proportion of the company owned by or on behalf of the employee share scheme is at that time (or has before that time been) at least 10%.
If any shares or shares rights have been transferred under the employee share scheme to beneficiaries of the scheme, the shares or share rights are to be regarded for the purposes of subsection (2) as if they are still owned by or on behalf of the scheme.
“Employee share scheme” means a scheme for encouraging or facilitating the holding of shares or share rights in the company (or companies in the same group as the company) by or for the benefit of persons who are or include employees of the company.
No disposal of the Crown's interest in a Post Office company may be made other than a disposal that—
is made pursuant to a direction under subsection (2), or
is authorised under subsection (3).
The Secretary of State may by order—
direct a Post Office company (if it is wholly owned by the Crown) to issue shares or share rights to a relevant mutual, or
direct a company wholly owned by the Crown to transfer shares or share rights in a Post Office company to a relevant mutual.
A disposal of the Crown's interest in a Post Office company is authorised under this subsection if—
the disposal is by way of an issue or transfer of shares or share rights in a Post Office company to a relevant mutual, and
the Secretary of State has by order approved the issue or transfer.
An order under subsection (2) or (3)(b) is subject to affirmative resolution procedure.
No disposal of a relevant mutual's interest in a Post Office company may be made other than a disposal to—
another relevant mutual,
the Secretary of State or the Treasury (or a nominee of either of them), or
a company wholly owned by the Crown.
Any disposal in contravention of subsection (1) or (5) has no effect.
For the meaning of “Post Office company” and “relevant mutual”, see sections 6 and 7.
In this section any reference to a disposal of a person's interest in a Post Office company is to—
the issue or transfer of shares in a company the effect of which is to reduce the proportion of the Post Office company owned by the person, or
the issue or transfer of share rights to a person the effect of which would be, if the shares to which the share rights relate were issued or transferred to the person, to reduce the proportion of the Post Office company owned by the person.
This section applies where the Secretary of State proposes to make an order under section 4(2) or (3)(b) (order directing or approving issue or transfer of shares or share rights in a Post Office company to a relevant mutual).
The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a report on the proposed issue or transfer before making the order.
The report must—
give details of the proposed issue or transfer (including the expected time-scale for the issue or transfer),
name the body to whom shares or share rights are proposed to be issued or transferred, and
explain how that body meets the conditions set out in section 7.
In this Part “Post Office company” means a company that—
is engaged in the provision of post offices,
is or has at any time been—
a subsidiary of the original holding company, or
in the same group as a company that is or (as the case may be) was at that time designated under this section, and
is designated for the purposes of this subsection by order made by the Secretary of State.
A company may be designated only if, immediately before it is designated, it is wholly owned by the Crown.
An order under subsection (1) may not be amended or revoked.
An order under section 93 that appoints a day for the commencement of section 1 (removal of restrictions on ownership of Royal Mail Holdings plc etc) may not be made unless Post Office Limited (registered number 02154540) has been designated under subsection (1).
In section 4 “relevant mutual” means a body in respect of which the Secretary of State considers that conditions A to C are (and will continue to be) met.
Condition A is that the purpose (or main purpose) for which the body exists is to act for the public benefit by promoting the use by the public of services provided by a Post Office company or at its post offices.
Condition B is that the members of the body are—
persons who have an interest in the use by the public of such services (including employees of the Post Office company and other persons engaged in the provision of its post offices), or
persons who act on behalf of, or represent, persons within paragraph (a).
Condition C is that the body has in place arrangements for the prevention of disposals of property or rights by the Post Office company that would be inconsistent with the purpose (or main purpose) for which the body exists.
The Secretary of State, or the original holding company (if it is wholly owned by the Crown), may make one or more transfer schemes.
A “transfer scheme” is a scheme for the transfer of property, rights or liabilities (or the creation of interests, rights or liabilities)—
between companies within subsection (3), or
between—
a company within subsection (3), and
the Secretary of State or the Treasury (or a nominee of either of them) or a company wholly owned by the Crown.
A company is within this subsection if—
it is the original holding company or a subsidiary of that company, and
it is wholly owned by the Crown.
A transfer scheme made by the original holding company has effect—
only if approved by the Secretary of State, and
subject to any modifications made by the Secretary of State.
The Secretary of State must consult the original holding company—
before making a transfer scheme, and
before making any modifications of a transfer scheme made by the company.
The Secretary of State may direct the original holding company (if it is wholly owned by the Crown) to make a transfer scheme in accordance with the direction.
Schedule 1 contains further provision about transfer schemes.
Nothing in that Schedule is to be read as restricting the provision that may be contained in transfer schemes.
A company within subsection (3) must provide the Secretary of State with any information or other assistance that the Secretary of State may reasonably require for the purposes of, or in connection with, the exercise of any power under this section or that Schedule.
That duty overrides any contractual or other requirement to keep information in confidence.
That duty is enforceable in civil proceedings by the Secretary of State—
for an injunction,
for specific performance of a statutory duty under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988, or
for any other appropriate remedy or relief.
This section applies if an agreement between companies within subsection (3) provides for the transfer from one to the other of rights and liabilities under contracts of employment.
This section also applies if—
employees of a company within subsection (3) (“company A”) are provided to another company within that subsection (“company B”),
an agreement between the companies provides for the employees to cease to be provided to company B, and
company B intends to employ the employees.
A company is within this subsection if—
it is the original holding company or a subsidiary of that company, and
it is wholly owned by the Crown.
At any time before the agreement comes into force, the Secretary of State may—
in a case within subsection (1), designate any contract of employment the rights and liabilities under which are to be transferred under the agreement, and
in a case within subsection (2), designate any employee of company A who is provided as mentioned in subsection (2)(a).
The designation may specify or describe the contracts of employment or employees.
On the coming into force of the agreement, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 apply in relation to— whether or not the agreement would otherwise be regarded for the purposes of those regulations as giving rise to a relevant transfer.
the transfer of designated contracts of employment, and
the cessation of the provision of designated employees to company B,
Where by virtue of the agreement a designated employee of a company within subsection (3) (“the transferor”) becomes an employee of another company within that subsection (“the transferee”)—
a period of employment with the transferor is to be treated as a period of employment with the transferee, and
the transfer to the transferee is not to be treated as a break in service.
Schedule 2 contains taxation provisions.
A Post Office company must send to the Secretary of State each year a report on its network of post offices.
The report must give details of—
the number and location of the company's post offices in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland,
the postal services, the services provided under arrangements with a government department and the other services that are provided at those post offices, and
the accessibility of those post offices to users of those services.
In subsection (2)(b) the reference to postal services includes postal services provided pursuant to arrangements made with a person who provides a universal postal service.
The report must, in particular, provide information about the accessibility of the company's post offices to—
individuals living in rural areas,
individuals living in urban areas,
small businesses,
disadvantaged individuals,
individuals with low incomes,
individuals with disabilities, and
elderly individuals.
The report must contain such other information as the Secretary of State may from time to time require.
The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the report before Parliament.
The Secretary of State must give a copy of the report to—
the Scottish Ministers,
the Welsh Ministers, and
the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland.
A Post Office company's duties under this section are enforceable in civil proceedings by the Secretary of State—
for an injunction,
for specific performance under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988, or
for any other appropriate remedy or relief.
A Royal Mail company must send to the Secretary of State each year a report on its activities in relation to—
the British Postal Museum Collection, and
the Royal Mail Archive.
Before preparing the report, the company must consult any Post Office company.
The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the report before Parliament.
A Royal Mail company's duties under this section are enforceable in civil proceedings by the Secretary of State—
for an injunction,
for specific performance under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988, or
for any other appropriate remedy or relief.
This section applies irrespective of whether the British Postal Museum Collection or the Royal Mail Archive alters the name by which it is known or forms part of a wider collection or archive.
This section applies to directions under this Part.
A direction must be in writing.
A direction may be varied or revoked by a further direction.
A person to whom a direction has been given has a duty to comply with it.
That duty is enforceable in civil proceedings by the person by whom the direction was given—
for an injunction,
for specific performance of a statutory duty under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988, or
for any other appropriate remedy or relief.
This section applies for the purposes of this Part.
References to ownership of a company are to ownership of its issued share capital.
References to ownership of a company include indirect ownership of it.
References to the reduction of the proportion of a company owned by the Crown include a reduction to nil.
For the purposes of determining the proportion of any company owned by the Crown, property and rights of the Secretary of State or the Treasury (or a nominee of either of them) are to be regarded as property and rights of the Crown.
In this Part—
any entitlement to benefits, or rights to future benefits, under the RMPP which a person who has survived a qualifying member of the RMPP has at the qualifying time in respect of the member.
“securities”, in relation to a company, includes—
an enactment contained in, or in an instrument made under, Northern Ireland legislation, and
A transfer scheme may transfer— The property, rights and liabilities that may be transferred by a transfer scheme include— The transfers to which effect may be given by a transfer scheme include ones that are to take effect as if there were no such contravention, liability or interference with any interest or right as there would otherwise be by reason of any provision having effect in relation to the terms on which the transferor is entitled or subject to anything to which the transfer relates. In sub-paragraph (3) the reference to any provision is a reference to any provision, whether under an enactment or agreement or otherwise. Sub-paragraph (3) has effect where shares in a subsidiary of the transferor are transferred as if the reference to the terms on which the transferor is entitled or subject to anything to which the transfer relates included a reference to the terms on which the subsidiary is entitled or subject to anything immediately before the transfer takes effect.
At the time specified in the scheme— are, as a result of this sub-paragraph, to vest in the transferee. Sub-paragraph (1) is subject to any provision of the scheme that provides that the transfer or creation of any property, interests, rights or liabilities is to be effected by or under an agreement or instrument entered into or executed in pursuance of an obligation imposed by virtue of paragraph 5(1).
A certificate issued by the Secretary of State to the effect that any property, interest, right or liability vested (in accordance with a transfer scheme) in a person specified in the certificate at a time so specified is conclusive evidence of the matters so specified.
References in this Schedule to the universal service provider, in relation to periods before the appointed day, are to the operator whose identity is for the time being notified to the European Commission as being the provider of a universal postal service in the United Kingdom.
This Part of this Schedule applies in the case of a postal administration order applying to a foreign company. The provisions of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act mentioned in paragraph 1 above (as modified by Part 1 of this Schedule) have effect in relation to the company with the further modifications set out in this Part of this Schedule. The Secretary of State may by order amend this Part of this Schedule so as to add more modifications. An order under this paragraph is subject to negative resolution procedure.
“third party”, in relation to a transfer scheme, means any person other than a transferor or transferee.
Nothing in— applies in relation to a transfer of property, rights or liabilities, or the creation of rights or interests, by or under a transfer scheme.
Part 23 of the Companies Act 2006 (distributions), or
any rule of law relating to distributions by companies or the maintenance of capital by companies,
Until the first universal postal service order under section 30 comes into force— Section 29 (duty to secure provision of universal postal service) is to have effect during the transitional period as if the references in that section (other than in subsection (2)) to OFCOM included Postcomm.
Those paragraphs are to have effect as if—
for “administration application”, in each place, there were substituted “postal administration application”,
for “administration order”, in each place, there were substituted “postal administration order”,
for “administrator”, in each place, there were substituted “postal administrator”,
for “enters administration”, in each place, there were substituted “enters postal administration”,
for “in administration”, in each place, there were substituted “in postal administration”, and
for “purpose of administration”, in each place (other than in paragraph 111(1)), there were substituted “objective of the postal administration”.
In section 2 of the Bills of Exchange Act 1882 (interpretation of terms), in the definition of “postal operator”, for “section 125(1) of the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “section 27 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In section 2(2)(e) of the Execution of Diligence (Scotland) Act 1926 (execution of arrestment or charge by registered letter in certain cases)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “the Postal Services Act 2000”.
The Opencast Coal Act 1958 is amended as follows.
In section 40(2)(e) of the Forestry Act 1967 (descriptions of land not subject to compulsory purchase)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In section 9 of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1969 (interpretation of Part 3), in the definition of “statutory undertakers”, for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In section 338(1) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (interpretation), in the definition of “public undertakers”—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
An access condition imposed on a person may include provision imposing on the person— An obligation within sub-paragraph (1)(d) may require the person to meet the costs of the audit. In sub-paragraph (1)(d) “qualified independent auditor” means a person who—
An access condition imposed on a person may include provision requiring the person not to use information which— for any purpose other than the purpose of the access given by the condition.
is obtained in connection with the giving of access, and
relates to the provision of postal services by any person to whom access is given,
An access condition imposed on a person may include provision requiring the person not to discriminate unduly against particular persons, or against a description of persons, in relation to access matters.
This paragraph applies where a dispute has been referred to OFCOM under paragraph 13. OFCOM must decide whether it is appropriate for them to handle the dispute. As soon as possible after they have reached a decision, OFCOM must inform each of the parties to the dispute of—
The procedure for the consideration and determination of a dispute is the procedure that OFCOM consider appropriate. That procedure may involve allowing the continuation of a procedure that has already begun for resolving the dispute by other means. OFCOM must send a copy of their determination, together with a full statement of their reasons for it, to every party to the dispute. OFCOM must publish so much of their determination as (having regard in particular to the need to preserve commercial confidentiality) they consider it appropriate to publish. Information published under sub-paragraph (4) must be published in such manner as OFCOM consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention (to the extent that they consider appropriate) of members of the public.
A person commits an offence if the person provides any service— A person guilty of an offence under sub-paragraph (1) is liable—
OFCOM may give a person a notification under this paragraph if they determine that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the person is contravening, or has contravened, a requirement imposed under paragraph 1 or 3. A notification under this paragraph must— A notification under this paragraph must also specify the period during which the person notified has an opportunity— The specified period must be at least one month beginning with the day after the day the notification is given unless— A contravention is a repeated contravention, in relation to a notification with respect to the contravention, if— OFCOM may (on one or more occasions) extend the specified period.
The Secretary of State may by order amend this Part of this Schedule so as to add further modifications. The further modifications that may be made are confined to such modifications of— as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in relation to any provision made by or under this Part of this Act. An order under this paragraph is subject to affirmative resolution procedure.
This paragraph applies if the old company is a foreign company. The property, rights and liabilities which may be transferred by a postal transfer scheme, or in or in relation to which interests, rights or liabilities may be created by a postal transfer scheme, are confined to—
In section 39(6) of the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 (interpretation)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In section 52(1) of the Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991 (interpretation), in the definition of “universal service provider”—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In paragraph 1(4A) of Schedule 22 to the Water Resources Act 1991 (protection for particular undertakings)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
An access condition may include provision requiring the application of presumptions in the fixing and determination of costs and charges for the purposes of the price controls, rules and obligations referred to in paragraph 3.
A notification under paragraph 5— If a notification under paragraph 5 has been given to a person in respect of a contravention of a requirement, OFCOM may give a further notification in respect of the same contravention of that requirement only if—
If an access condition imposes rules on any person about the use of cost accounting systems, OFCOM may secure that the condition also imposes an obligation on the person to make arrangements for a description to be made available to the public of the cost accounting system used. If OFCOM impose an obligation on a person under sub-paragraph (1), the description of information to be made available must include details of—
For the purposes of any enactment none of the following persons are to be regarded as shadow directors of a transferor or transferee in relation to anything done by or under a transfer scheme—
the Secretary of State or the Treasury (or a nominee of either of them), or
a person employed by, or acting on behalf of, anyone within paragraph (a).
In section 51(1) (interpretation), in the definitions of “statutory undertakers” and “statutory undertaking”, for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In section 52(2) (application to Scotland), in the definitions of “statutory undertakers” and “statutory undertaking”, for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In paragraphs 34 to 39—
the provisions of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act that are mentioned in paragraph 1 above are referred to as the applicable provisions, and
references to those provisions, or to provisions comprised in them, are references to those provisions as modified by Part 1 of this Schedule.
an “initial price control decision” means—
Section 8
If— the scheme as modified is to be treated for all purposes as having come into force at that time. An agreement under this paragraph may, in connection with giving effect to modifications to the scheme—
In paragraphs 4 to 6—
Any one or more parties to an access dispute may refer the dispute to OFCOM. In this paragraph “access dispute” means a dispute between postal operators, or between a postal operator and a user of postal services, about the terms and conditions (including those as to price) on which access, required by virtue of an access condition to be given— A reference under this paragraph must be made in such manner as OFCOM require. A requirement under sub-paragraph (3) is to be imposed, withdrawn or modified by OFCOM publishing a notice in such manner as they consider appropriate for bringing the requirement, withdrawal or modification to the attention of persons who, in their opinion, are likely to be affected by it. Different requirements may be imposed for different cases.
The powers that may be exercised by OFCOM, on the making of a determination under paragraph 15, are those listed in sub-paragraph (2). The powers are— A direction under sub-paragraph (2)(d) may be given only for the purpose of giving effect to a determination by OFCOM of the proper amount of a charge in respect of which amounts have been paid by one party to the dispute to another. A direction under sub-paragraph (2)(f) may be given to a party only if—
This paragraph applies where a dispute has been referred under paragraph 13 to OFCOM. OFCOM may require a person to provide them with specified information, in the specified manner and within the specified period. The information that may be specified is information required by OFCOM for the purpose of— The specified period must be reasonable. In fixing that period, OFCOM must have regard, in particular, to— Part 2 of Schedule 8 (information: enforcement) applies in relation to a requirement imposed under this paragraph as if—
A person commits an offence if the person provides any service— A person guilty of an offence under sub-paragraph (1) is liable—
OFCOM must comply with a request made by a person— A request for the purposes of this paragraph must be made in such manner as OFCOM may require. OFCOM do not have to comply with a request under this paragraph if (without having been asked to do so) they have already given the person the notification or information for which the person is asking. Any notification or information which under sub-paragraph (1) must be given or provided by OFCOM must be given or provided before the end of the period of one week beginning with the day on which the request was made to them.
References within sub-paragraph (2) which are contained— include references to whatever corresponds to them for the purposes of this paragraph. The references are those (however expressed) which are or include references to— For the purposes of this paragraph—
In this Part of this Schedule—
In section 126 of the Building Act 1984 (general interpretation), in the definition of “statutory undertakers”, for the words from “(within the meaning of the Postal Services Act 2000)” to the end substitute “(within the meaning of Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011) or a relevant company (within the meaning of Part 4 of the Postal Services Act 2000)”.
For the purposes of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 a disposal constituted by a relevant transfer is to be treated in relation to the transferor and transferee as made for a consideration such that no gain or loss accrues to the transferor.
Paragraph 40, in its application to section 1(3) of the 1986 Act, does not entitle the postal administrator of an unregistered company to make a proposal under Part 1 of the 1986 Act (company voluntary arrangements). Paragraph 40 does not confer any right under section 7(4) of the 1986 Act (implementation of voluntary arrangements) for a supervisor of voluntary arrangements to apply for a postal administration order in relation to a company which is a universal service provider. Paragraph 40 does not apply to section 359 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (administration applications by FSA).
For the purposes of Chapter 4 of Part 5 of the Corporation Tax Act 2009 (loan relationships: continuity of treatment on transfers within groups or on reorganisations) the transferor and transferee are to be treated in relation to a relevant transfer as if, for the purposes of the transfer, they were members of the same group.
For the purposes of Part 8 of the Corporation Tax Act 2009 (intangible fixed assets) a relevant transfer of a chargeable intangible asset is to be treated as tax-neutral. Part 4 of the Taxation (International and Other Provisions) Act 2010 (transfer pricing) does not apply in relation to a transfer to which sub-paragraph (1) applies. For the purposes of section 882 of the Corporation Tax Act 2009 (application of Part 8 to assets created or acquired on or after 1 April 2002) assets acquired by a transferee on a relevant transfer are to be treated as if they were acquired from a person who at the time of the acquisition was a related party.
Section 10
Sections 38 and 50
Section 43
The way in which a charge is to be fixed under paragraph 1 is by the publication or giving of such notification as OFCOM consider appropriate for bringing the charge to the attention of the persons who, in their opinion, are likely to be affected by it. OFCOM may set out in that notification the time at which the charge is to become due to them. A charge fixed under paragraph 1 for a charging year may be fixed in terms providing for a deduction from the charge on a proportionate basis to be made for a part of the year during which the service in respect of which it is fixed is not provided by the person otherwise liable to the charge. A charge fixed under paragraph 1 for a charging year may also be fixed so that (subject to sub-paragraph (5)) it is referable, in whole or in part, to the provision of a service during a part of the year falling before the fixing of the charge. A charge may be fixed so as to be referable to a time before it is fixed to the extent only that both— are required by, and consistent with, the statement of charging principles in force at the beginning of the charging year. Before making or revising a statement of charging principles, OFCOM must consult such of the persons who, in OFCOM’s opinion, are likely to be affected by those principles as they think fit. The way in which a statement of charging principles must be made or may be revised is by the publication of the statement or revised statement in such manner as OFCOM consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of the persons who, in their opinion, are likely to be affected by it.
OFCOM may before the appointed day designate provisionally, with effect from that date, one or more postal operators as universal service providers. A provisional designation must be— Whilst in force a provisional designation has the same effect as designation under section 35. A provisional designation ceases to have effect on the making of the first designation under that section.
This paragraph applies if it appears to the Secretary of State— The Secretary of State may by order amend that condition so as to specify a forecast figure for the index year ending 31 March 2012. The power of the Secretary of State is limited to inserting a forecast figure produced by applying the same methods as were used by Postcomm to determine the forecast figure for the index years presently set out in the condition. If it appears to the Secretary of State that Postcomm has produced, using those methods, a forecast figure for the index year ending 31 March 2012, the Secretary of State may adopt its figure and need not repeat, or examine the basis of, the work done by it in producing that figure. Before making an order under this paragraph the Secretary of State must— The consultation period, in relation to a person, is the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the person is consulted. The requirements of sub-paragraph (5) may be met by consultation and consideration before the passing of this Act. If an order under this paragraph is made before the appointed day, the reference in paragraph 4(2) to the licence conditions applicable immediately before that day is to be read accordingly as a reference to the conditions as amended by the order.
During the transitional period Postcomm must consult OFCOM before taking any step with a view to modifying or revoking the conditions of a licence under Part 2 of the 2000 Act.
Nothing in this Schedule is to be read as impliedly restricting the generality of the power to make transitional provision by order under section 93(4).
OFCOM may bring proceedings for the recovery from a person of an administrative charge fixed for a year under paragraph 1 only if they have given that person a notification under this paragraph with respect to the amount they are seeking to recover. OFCOM may give a person a notification under this paragraph if they determine that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the person is in contravention of a requirement to pay the charge (whether the whole or part of it). A notification under this paragraph must set out the determination made by OFCOM. A notification under this paragraph must also specify the period during which the person notified has an opportunity— The specified period must be at least one month beginning with the day after the day the notification is given unless— A contravention is a repeated contravention, in relation to a notification with respect to the contravention, if— OFCOM may (on one or more occasions) extend the specified period.
A notification under paragraph 4— If a notification under paragraph 4 has been given to a person in respect of an amount outstanding, OFCOM may give a further notification in respect of the whole or a part of that amount only if—
Section 52
Section 53
Section 54
Section 55
Section 66
Section 73
Section 73
Section 91
The Postal Services Act 2000 is amended as follows.
Omit sections 1 and 3 to 5 (introductory).
Omit sections 6 to 41 (licences for postal services).
Omit sections 42 to 50 (the Postal Services Commission).
Omit sections 60 to 61A (the Postal Services Commission and the Council).
In section 62 (transfer of property etc to nominated company), omit subsections (1) to (5), (7) and (8).
For section 63 substitute—
Section 64 (government investment in certain securities) is amended as follows. In the heading, for “the Post Office company and its subsidiaries” substitute “certain companies”. In subsection (1), for “the Post Office company or of any of its subsidiaries” substitute— After that subsection insert— Omit subsection (3).
Section 68 (loans by the Secretary of State to the Post Office company etc) is amended as follows. In the heading, for “the Post Office company and its subsidiaries” substitute “relevant companies”. In subsection (1), for “the Post Office company or any of its subsidiaries” substitute “a relevant company”. After that subsection insert—
Section 69 (guarantees by the Secretary of State for the Post Office company etc) is amended as follows. In the heading, for “the Post Office company and its subsidiaries” substitute “relevant companies”. In subsection (1), for “the Post Office company or any of its subsidiaries” substitute “a relevant company”. In subsection (3), for “the Post Office company or the subsidiary concerned” substitute “the relevant company”.
Section 70 (extinguishment of certain liabilities) is amended as follows. In subsections (1) and (2), for “the Post Office company or of any of its subsidiaries” substitute “a relevant company”. For subsections (3) and (4) substitute—
In section 71(1) and (2) (limit on loans and other arrangements with government), for “the Post Office company and any of its subsidiaries” substitute “relevant companies”.
Section 72 (reserves of the Post Office company and its subsidiaries) is amended as follows. In the heading, for “the Post Office company and its subsidiaries” substitute “relevant companies”. In subsection (1)— For subsection (6) substitute—
In section 73 (statutory accounts of the Post Office company), for “the Post Office company”, in each place, substitute “the original holding company”.
Section 74 (further provisions relating to the capital structure of the Post Office company) is amended as follows. In the heading, for “the Post Office company” substitute “certain relevant companies”. In subsection (1), for “the Post Office company” substitute “a company within subsection (1A)”. After that subsection insert— In subsection (3)— In subsection (4), after “the Secretary of State” insert “(or a nominee of the Secretary of State)”. In subsection (7)(b), for “the Post Office company” substitute “the relevant company”.
Omit section 75 (dissolution of the Post Office).
Section 77 (publicity requirements for certain accounts and reports of the Post Office company) is amended as follows. In the heading, omit “of the Post Office company”. Before subsection (1) insert— In subsections (1) and (2), for “The Post Office company” substitute “A company to which this section applies”.
Section 78 (information requirements on the Post Office company) is amended as follows. In the heading, for “the Post Office company” substitute “certain relevant companies”. Before subsection (1) insert— In subsection (1), for “, on or after the appointed day, serve notice on the Post Office company” substitute “serve notice on a company to which this section applies”.
Omit section 79 (exercise of functions through nominees).
In section 80(1) (shadow directors), for “the Post Office company” substitute “a relevant company any part of which is owned by the Crown”.
In section 82(1) (interpretation of Part 4)—
after the definition of “the appointed day” insert—,
for the definitions of “the Post Office company” and “relevant subsidiary” substitute—,
omit the definition of “share rights”, and
for the definition of “wholly owned by the Crown” substitute—
For the heading of Part 6 substitute “Postal services: supplementary”.
Section 89 (schemes as to terms and conditions for provision of a universal postal service) is amended as follows. In the heading, for “a universal postal service” substitute “postal services”. For subsection (1) substitute— In subsection (2)— In subsections (3)(a), (4)(a) and (7), for “the universal service provider concerned” substitute “the postal operator”.
After section 89 insert—
Section 90 (exclusion of liability) is amended as follows. Before subsection (1) insert— In subsection (1)— In subsection (2)— In subsection (3)—
Section 91 (limited liability for registered inland packets) is amended as follows. In the heading, for “registered inland packets” substitute “postal packets”. In subsection (1)— In subsection (2), for “the universal service provider” substitute “the postal operator”. In subsection (4), for “universal service provider” substitute “postal operator”. Omit subsection (6).
In section 93(2) (power to modify sections 89 to 92 of that Act), for “the Commission” substitute “OFCOM”.
Section 97 (harbour charges on mail-bags) is amended as follows. In subsection (1)— In subsection (2)(b), for “a universal service provider in connection with the provision of a universal postal service” substitute “a postal operator in connection with the provision of postal services”.
In section 98 (mail-bags not to be subject to control by harbour authorities)—
in paragraph (a), for “a universal service provider in connection with the provision of a universal postal service” substitute “a postal operator in connection with the provision of postal services”,
in paragraph (b), for “such a provider in the provision of such a service” substitute “a postal operator in connection with the provision of postal services”,
in paragraph (c), for “such a provider in connection with the provision of such a service” substitute “a postal operator in connection with the provision of postal services”, and
in paragraph (d), for “a universal service provider in connection with the provision of a universal postal service” substitute “a postal operator in connection with the provision of postal services”.
In section 99 (common carriers)—
for “universal service provider” substitute “postal operator”, and
for “a universal postal service” substitute “postal services”.
Section 100 (certain exemptions from postage etc.) is amended as follows. Omit subsections (1) to (3). In subsection (4)— In subsection (5), for “universal service provider” substitute “postal operator”.
Section 101 (directions in interests of national security etc) is amended as follows. In subsection (1), for the words from “such directions” to “functions” substitute “a direction to OFCOM in connection with the exercise of their functions relating to postal services”. In subsection (2), for “the Commission” substitute “OFCOM”. In subsection (3), for the words from “such directions” to the end substitutea direction (relating to the provision of postal services) to— In subsection (4), for “licence holder” substitute “postal operator”. In subsection (5), for “the Commission” substitute “OFCOM”. For subsection (6) substitute— In subsection (7)(a), for “the Commission” substitute “OFCOM”.
Section 102 (power to ensure compliance with the Postal Services Directive) is amended as follows. In subsection (1)(a)(i), for “a Community obligation” substitute “an EU obligation”. In subsection (3)(a), for “the Commission” substitute “OFCOM”.
In section 104(3) (inviolability of mails)—
omit paragraphs (a) and (b), and
before paragraph (c) insert—.
After section 104 insert—
In section 105 (application of customs and excise enactments to certain postal packets), after subsection (4) insert—
After section 105 insert—
Section 111 (exclusion of liability in relation to postal and money orders) is amended as follows. In subsection (1)— In subsections (2) and (3), for “the Post Office company” substitute “a Post Office company”. In subsection (4)— In subsection (5)— In subsection (6)— In subsection (7), for “the Post Office company” substitute “a Post Office company”. After subsection (8) insert—
Section 112 (schemes in relation to postal and money orders) is amended as follows. In subsections (1) and (2), for “The Post Office company” substitute “A Post Office company”. In subsections (5) and (8), for “the Post Office company” substitute “a Post Office company”.
Section 113 (recoupment of losses on wrongly paid money orders) is amended as follows. In subsection (1)— In subsection (2), for “the Post Office company” substitute “the company”.
Section 114 (special arrangements with other countries or territories) is amended as follows. In subsection (1), for “the Post Office company” substitute “a Post Office company”. In subsection (2)—
Section 116 (the Postcode Address File) is amended as follows. In subsection (2), for “the Commission” substitute “OFCOM”. After that subsection insert— After subsection (4) insert—
Omit section 117 (records of the former Postmaster General’s department).
Omit section 118 (supplementary provisions about the Council).
Omit section 119 (general restriction on disclosure of information).
Section 122 (orders and regulations) is amended as follows. In subsection (3), omit “9, 10,”. In subsection (5), omit “8,”. In subsection (10), omit “10, 38(8), 58(7), 59(2),” and “, paragraph 4 of Schedule 7”. In subsection (12), omit “8, 9, 30(2),”.
In section 123 (directions), at the end insert—
In section 124(1) (general financial provision), omit paragraph (a).
Section 125(1) (interpretation) is amended as follows. After the definition of “notice” insert—. For the definition of “postal operator” substitute—. In the definition of “the Postal Services Directive”, for the words from “implementation” to the end substitute “improvement of quality of service, as amended from time to time,”. After the definition of “public holiday” insert—. After the definition of “subordinate legislation” insert—.
Omit section 126 (index).
Omit Schedule 1 (the Postal Services Commission).
Schedule 3 (transfer to the Post Office company: supplementary provisions) is amended as follows. Omit paragraphs 6(1), 7, 9 and 10. In the other provisions, for “the Post Office company”, in each place, substitute “the original holding company”.
In Schedule 4 (transfer to the Post Office company: tax), omit paragraphs 5 and 9.
Schedule 5 (acquisition of land) is amended as follows. In paragraph 1(1), for “required for any purpose in connection with the provision of a universal postal service” substitute “where it is necessary to do so for the purpose of providing a universal postal service”. In paragraph 2(1), for “required for any purpose in connection with the provision of a universal postal service” substitute “where it is necessary to do so for the purpose of providing a universal postal service”. In paragraph 3(1), for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute—.
Omit Schedule 7 (disclosure of information).
The Communications Act 2003 is amended as follows.
In section 3 (general duties of OFCOM), after subsection (6) insert—
In section 14 (consumer research), after subsection (6) insert—
Section 16 (consumer consultation) is amended as follows. In subsection (1)(b), at the end insert “(other than postal services)”. In subsection (3)— In subsection (4)— In subsection (13), in paragraph (a) of the definition of “domestic and small business consumer”, for “any such services or facilities” substitute “a service or facility mentioned in subsection (4)(a) to (e)”.
Section 22(5) (representation on international and other bodies) is amended as follows. functions relating to postal services; and the regulation of postal services;
Section 26 (publication of information and advice for consumers etc) is amended as follows. In subsection (2)— After that subsection insert—
In section 369(1) (matters in relation to which OFCOM have competition functions), after paragraph (e) insert—
Section 370 (OFCOM’s functions under Part 4 of the Enterprise Act 2002) is amended as follows. In subsection (11), for “section 3 does not” substitute “section 3 of this Act (general duties) and section 29 of the Postal Services Act 2011 (duty to secure provision of universal postal service) do not”. In subsection (12), for “section 3(1) to (4)” substitute “section 3(1) to (4) of this Act or section 29 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
Section 371 (OFCOM’s functions under Competition Act 1998) is amended as follows. In subsection (11), for “section 3 does not” substitute “section 3 of this Act (general duties) and section 29 of the Postal Services Act 2011 (duty to secure provision of universal postal service) do not”. In subsection (12), for “section 3(1) to (4)” substitute “section 3(1) to (4) of this Act or section 29 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In section 394(2) (service of notifications and other documents)—
omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (e), and
at the end insert—
In section 400(1) (destination of licence fees and penalties), at the end insert—
In section 404(4) (criminal liability of company directors etc.)—
omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (d), and
at the end insert ; or
Section 405 (general interpretation) is amended as follows. In subsection (1), after the definition of “other member State” insert—. After subsection (5) insert—
In Schedule 16, omit paragraph 6 (which made amendments superseded by this Act).
In Schedule 17, omit paragraph 162(3) (which made amendments superseded by this Act).
In section 43(6D) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (occupied hereditaments: liability)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In section 336(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (interpretation), in the definition of “universal postal service provider”—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In paragraph 1(5A) of Schedule 13 to the Water Industry Act 1991 (protective provisions in respect of certain undertakings)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In section 288(3A) of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (meaning of “the no gain/no loss provisions”), at the end insert—
In paragraph 3(4)(a) of Schedule 2 to the Local Government and Rating Act 1997 (relief from non-domestic rates for general stores etc in rural settlements: Scotland)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In section 277(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (interpretation), in the definition of “universal postal service provider”—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In section 19(8A) of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 (vesting of land by order), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (public authorities: other public bodies and offices), omit the entry relating to the Post Office.
“pension credit right” has the meaning given by section 124(1) of the Pensions Act 1995,
In Schedule 4 to the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (enactments to which section 17 of Act applies)—
omit paragraph 51, and
at the end insert—
In Schedule 2 to the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, omit paragraph 19(r) (which made amendments superseded by this Act).
In Schedule 16 to the Gambling Act 2005, omit paragraph 15 (which made amendments superseded by this Act).
The Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 is amended as follows.
Section 73 of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 (functions to which section 72 applies) is amended as follows. In subsection (2), for paragraph (d) (together with the “and” at the end of it) substitute—. After subsection (10) insert—
In the following provisions (which relate to postal services in Northern Ireland), for “relevant postal services” substitute “postal services”— section 2(1)(c)(ii), section 3(2)(b) and (4)(a), section 4(1)(b) and (5)(b), section 5(4)(b), and section 38(2)(c).
Section 15 (reference of matters to the Postal Services Commission) is amended as follows. For the heading substitute “Reference of postal matters to OFCOM”. In subsection (1)— In subsection (2), for “the Commission”, in both places, substitute “OFCOM”.
In section 16(2) (investigations relating to public post offices), for “section 42(3)” substitute “section 125(1)”.
In section 24(9) (provision of information: definitions), in the definition of “designated regulator”), for paragraph (b) substitute—.
Section 25 (enforcement by regulator of section 24 notice) is amended as follows. A postal operator. The Office of Communications. After subsection (6) insert—
In section 29(3)(b) (disclosure of information: application of Part 9 of the Enterprise Act 2002), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “the Postal Services Act 2011”.
Section 41 (interpretation of Part 1) is amended as follows. At the appropriate place insert—. In the definition of “postal services”, for “Postal Services Act 2000 (see section 125(1) of that Act)” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011 (see section 65 of that Act)”. Omit the definition of “relevant postal services”.
In section 42 (interpretation of Part 2), omit the entry relating to a person holding a licence under Part 2 of the Postal Services Act 2000.
Section 45 (information with respect to compliance with complaints handling standards) is amended as follows. After subsection (1) insert— In subsection (2), after “providers” insert “or postal operators”.
In section 52, omit subsection (4) (which made amendments superseded by this Act).
In section 60(10) (orders and regulations: meaning of “regulator”), omit paragraph (b) (together with the “or” before it).
In section 65 (extent), omit subsections (4) and (5).
Omit the following provisions (which made amendments superseded by this Act)—
paragraphs 30 and 31 of Schedule 1,
paragraph 3 of Schedule 2,
paragraph 3 of Schedule 5, and
paragraphs 12 to 16 of Schedule 7.
“transferor”—
“designated USP condition” has the meaning given by section 36,
This paragraph applies where— For the purposes of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 the disposal is to be treated in relation to— as made for a consideration such that no gain or loss accrues to the person making the disposal. The degrouping provisions are not to apply by reason of the disposal or any agreement to make the disposal (if they otherwise would). In this Schedule a “degrouping provision” means— Stamp duty is not chargeable on the instrument effecting the disposal. This paragraph applies whether or not the disposal is made by or under a transfer scheme under section 8.
This paragraph limits the circumstances in which OFCOM may require the provision of information under paragraph 1 for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is, or has been, a contravention of a condition of general application. OFCOM may require the provision of information for that purpose only if— A “condition of general application” means a regulatory condition other than a designated USP condition, a USP access condition or a USP accounting condition.
OFCOM may give a direction under this paragraph to any person who is providing one or more postal services (“the contravening person”). A direction under this paragraph is a direction that the entitlement of the contravening person to provide postal services— OFCOM may give a direction under this paragraph only if they are satisfied that conditions A to C are met. Condition A is that the contravening person is or has been in serious and repeated contravention of requirements imposed under paragraph 1 or 3. Condition B is that an attempt, by the imposition of penalties under paragraph 7 or the bringing of proceedings under paragraph 13, to secure compliance with the contravened requirements has failed. Condition C is that the giving of the direction is—
In carrying out any of their functions under Part 3 OFCOM may rely on anything done by or in relation to Postcomm at any time before the passing of this Act.
Schedule 3 to the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 (further administrative, incidental and consequential provisions) is amended as follows. In paragraph 3, for “the Post Office company”, in each place, substitute “the original holding company”. For paragraph 3A substitute—
Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 is amended as follows. In Part 2 (bodies of which all members are disqualified), omit the entry relating to the Postal Services Commission. Director of any of the following, being a director appointed or nominated by a Minister of the Crown or by a person acting on behalf of the Crown— a Post Office company, a Royal Mail company, the original holding company, and a parent company of a company within any of paragraphs (a) to (c). Expressions used in paragraphs (a) to (d) have the same meaning as in Part 1 of the Postal Services Act 2011.
In section 44(1) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (interpretation etc of Part 1), in the definition of “universal service provider”—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
The Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 is amended as follows.
In section 18 of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1981 (stopping up of streets), in subsections (3), (8) and (9)(a)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In section 134(9) of the Mental Health Act 1983 (correspondence of patients), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011 (see section 27)”.
In paragraph 10(8) of Schedule 5 to the Administration of Justice Act 1985 (redirection of communications), for “section 125(1) of the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “section 27 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
The Housing Act 1988 is amended as follows.
This paragraph applies where— For the purposes of the application of a degrouping provision in the case of that disposal or agreement— “Relevant assets or chargeable interests” means assets or chargeable interests in relation to which, but for paragraph 1(3), the degrouping provision in question would have applied by reason of the disposal or agreement mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a). In this paragraph—
Unless it provides otherwise, a direction under paragraph 8 takes effect for an indefinite period beginning with the time at which it is notified to the person to whom it is given. A direction under paragraph 8— Those conditions may include a condition requiring the making of payments— OFCOM may revoke a direction under paragraph 8 or modify its conditions— For the purposes of paragraph 8 there are repeated contraventions by a person of requirements imposed under paragraph 1 or 3 to the extent that— For the purposes of sub-paragraph (5) it does not matter whether the notifications relate to the same contravention or to different contraventions of the same or different requirements or of requirements under different paragraphs.
In section 120(3) (compulsory acquisition: exclusion of special parliamentary procedure), in paragraph (b) of the definition of “statutory undertakers”—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In section 76(6A) (vesting by order in housing action trust), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
OFCOM are not to give a direction under paragraph 8 unless they have— That period must be at least one month beginning with the day after the day the notification is given. This paragraph does not apply in an urgent case (as to which, see paragraph 11).
In section 141(6A) (vesting by order in corporation), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In paragraph 9(7) of Schedule 10 (housing action trusts: land)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In an urgent case, OFCOM must, as soon as reasonably practicable after giving a direction under paragraph 8, give the contravening person— A case is urgent for the purposes of this paragraph if OFCOM— The contraventions fall within this sub-paragraph if they have resulted in or create an immediate risk of—
In section 170(2B) (interpretation: statutory undertakers etc)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In paragraph 11(7) of Schedule 28 (urban development corporations: land)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
This paragraph applies if— OFCOM may give the person an enforcement notification if they are satisfied that the person— An enforcement notification is a notification which imposes one or both of the following requirements on the person— A decision of OFCOM to give an enforcement notification to a person— A person to whom an enforcement notification has been given has a duty to comply with it. That duty is enforceable in civil proceedings by OFCOM—
This paragraph applies if— OFCOM may impose a penalty on a person if— If a notification under paragraph 5 relates to more than one contravention, a separate penalty may be imposed in respect of each contravention. If a notification under that paragraph relates to a continuing contravention, no more than one penalty may be imposed in respect of the period of contravention specified in the notification. The amount of a penalty imposed under this paragraph is to be such amount as OFCOM determine to be— The amount must not be more than £50,000. In making the determination of the amount of the penalty OFCOM must have regard to— If OFCOM impose a penalty on a person under this paragraph, they must— A penalty imposed under this paragraph— The Secretary of State may by order substitute a different maximum penalty for the maximum penalty for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (6). An order under sub-paragraph (10) is subject to affirmative resolution procedure.
A person who fails to provide information in accordance with a requirement imposed under paragraph 1 or 3 commits an offence. A person guilty of an offence under sub-paragraph (1) is liable— A person does not commit an offence under sub-paragraph (1) if— A person commits an offence if— A person guilty of an offence under sub-paragraph (4) is liable— Proceedings for an offence under sub-paragraph (1) may be brought in respect of a contravention by a person of a requirement imposed under paragraph 1 or 3 only if—
In section 4 of the City of London (Various Powers) Act 1967 (interpretation of Part 2), in the definition of “statutory undertakers”, for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In section 12(5)(a) of the National Loans Act 1968 (Treasury’s borrowing powers)—
for the words from “the Post Office company”, in the first place, to “the Post Office company”, in the second place, substitute “a Post Office company (within the meaning of Part 1 of the Postal Services Act 2011)”, and
for “the Post Office company or any such subsidiary” substitute “such a company”.
This paragraph applies if OFCOM determine— A case is urgent for the purposes of this paragraph if the contravention has resulted in or creates an immediate risk of— OFCOM may, in a notification under paragraph 2 with respect to the contravention, specify a period of less than one month for doing the things mentioned in sub-paragraph (3) of that paragraph. OFCOM may also give to the contravening person a direction that the entitlement of the contravening person to provide postal services—
The duty of a person to comply with— is a duty owed to every person who may be affected by a contravention of the requirement or condition. Sub-paragraphs (3) and (4) apply where a duty is owed by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) to a person. A breach of the duty that causes that person to sustain loss or damage is actionable at the suit or instance of that person. An act which— is actionable at the suit or instance of that person. In proceedings brought against a person as a result of sub-paragraph (3) it is a defence for that person to show that the person took— to avoid contravening the requirement or condition in question. The consent of OFCOM is required for the bringing of proceedings as a result of sub-paragraph (1)(a). If OFCOM give their consent subject to conditions relating to the conduct of the proceedings, the proceedings are not to be carried on except in compliance with those conditions.
This Schedule applies if—
the court has made a postal administration order in relation to a company (the “old company”), and
it is proposed that a relevant transfer (within the meaning of section 69(3)) be made to another company (or companies) (a “new company”).
A postal transfer scheme may identify the property, rights and liabilities to be transferred by specifying or describing them. A postal transfer scheme may provide for the way in which property, rights or liabilities of any description are to be identified.
A postal transfer scheme may contain provision— The reference to the transfer of a part of any obligation includes the transfer of any obligation so far as relating to an area specified or described in provision made by the scheme. A postal transfer scheme may, in consequence of provision made under sub-paragraph (1), make modifications of regulatory conditions to which the old company or new company are subject.
This paragraph applies where a person would otherwise be entitled, in consequence of anything done or likely to be done by or under this Act in connection with a postal transfer scheme— The entitlement— Where shares in a subsidiary of the old company are transferred, sub-paragraph (2) has effect in relation to an interest or right of the subsidiary as if the references to the transfer of the interest or right included a reference to the transfer of the shares.
The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 apply to a transfer (under a postal transfer scheme) of rights and liabilities under a contract of employment (whether or not the transfer would otherwise be a relevant transfer for the purposes of those regulations).
In section 99 of the Commissioners Clauses Act 1847 (services of notices upon commissioners)—
omit “(within the meanings given by the Postal Services Act 2000)”, and
In this section “post office” has the meaning given by section 125(1) of the Postal Services Act 2000 and “postal operator” has the meaning given by section 27 of the Postal Services Act 2011.
In section 4(1)(f) of the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act 1897 (application of money at disposal of Commissioners), for the words from “within the power” to “to grant under guarantee” substitute “within the power of a Post Office company (within the meaning of Part 1 of the Postal Services Act 2011) to grant under guarantee”.
In section 7(1) of the Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947 (interpretation), in the definition of “statutory undertakers”—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
Unless it provides otherwise, a direction under paragraph 8 takes effect for an indefinite period beginning with the time at which it is notified to the person to whom it is given. A direction under paragraph 8— Those conditions may include a condition requiring the making of payments— OFCOM may revoke a direction under this paragraph or modify its conditions—
While the order is in force, the postal administrator is to act on behalf of the old company in doing anything that it is authorised or required to do by or under this Schedule.
If an employee of the old company becomes an employee of a new company as a result of a postal transfer scheme—
a period of employment with the old company is to be treated as a period of employment with the new company, and
the transfer to the new company is not to be treated as a break in service.
As soon as reasonably practicable after giving a direction under paragraph 8 to a person, OFCOM must give the person— As soon as reasonably practicable after the period allowed by OFCOM for making those representations has ended, OFCOM must determine— If they decide that the contravention did occur and that the direction was justified, they may confirm the direction. If not, they must revoke the direction or modify its conditions. As soon as reasonably practicable after determining whether to confirm the direction, OFCOM must notify their decision to the person to whom the direction was given. Conditions included in a direction as a result of paragraph 9(3) have effect only if the direction is confirmed.
In this Part references to a person providing a universal postal service have the same meaning as in Part 3 (see section 65(2) and (3)).
In this Part references to a company's post offices (or network of post offices) are to those post offices (whether or not owned or operated by the company) that the company is engaged in providing.
For the purposes of this Part (other than Schedule 2) a company is to be regarded as being in the same “group” as another company if, for the purposes of section 1161(5) of the Companies Act 2006, the company is a group undertaking in relation to that other company.
In this Part—
rights to subscribe for or acquire the shares, and
An access condition imposed on a person may include provision—
requiring the terms and conditions on which the person is willing to offer access to include such terms and conditions as may be specified or described in the condition, or
requiring the person to make such modifications as OFCOM may direct of any offer which sets out the terms and conditions on which the person is willing to offer access.
An access condition requiring a separation for accounting purposes between different matters may include provision—
requiring the separation to be maintained in relation to different services, facilities or products or in relation to services, facilities or products provided in different areas, and
requiring particular accounting methods to be used in maintaining the separation.
An access condition imposed on a person may include provision for securing fairness and reasonableness in the way in which requests for access are made and responded to.
This paragraph applies if OFCOM have decided under paragraph 14 that it is appropriate for them to handle a dispute. OFCOM must— The determination must be made as soon as reasonably practicable. A determination binds all of the parties to the dispute. Where there has been an attempt to resolve the dispute by other means—
A reference under paragraph 13 of a dispute does not prevent any person from bringing or continuing any civil or criminal proceedings in or before a court with respect to any of the matters under dispute. Sub-paragraph (1) is subject to— Any reference of a dispute to OFCOM, or consideration or determination by OFCOM of a dispute, does not prevent OFCOM from exercising any of their powers (or from doing anything in connection with the exercise of any of their powers) in relation to the subject-matter of the dispute.
A person commits an offence if the person provides any service— A person guilty of an offence under sub-paragraph (1) is liable— The duty of a person to comply with a condition of a direction under paragraph 7 is to be a duty owed to every person who may be affected by a contravention of the condition. Sub-paragraphs (5) and (6) apply where a duty is owed by virtue of sub-paragraph (3) to a person. A breach of the duty that causes that person to sustain loss or damage is actionable at the suit or instance of that person. An act which— is actionable at the suit or instance of that person. In proceedings brought against a person as a result of sub-paragraph (5) it is a defence for that person to show that the person took— to avoid contravening the condition in question.
OFCOM may impose or modify a regulatory condition only if satisfied that the condition or modification—
is objectively justifiable,
does not discriminate unduly against particular persons or a particular description of persons,
is proportionate to what it is intended to achieve, and
is transparent in relation to what it is intended to achieve.
This paragraph applies if— A person may give, modify or withdraw the direction, approval or consent only if satisfied that to do so— Before the direction, approval or consent is given, modified or withdrawn, a notification must be published— That period must be at least one month beginning with the day after the day the notification is published. But if the person giving the notification is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances justifying a shorter period, the period for making representations may be whatever shorter period that person considers reasonable in the circumstances. If— the obligation of publishing the notification of that proposal for the purposes of this paragraph falls on that person. Otherwise, the obligation of publishing a notification for the purposes of this paragraph falls on OFCOM. The person who is authorised to give the direction, approval or consent may give effect, with or without modifications, to a proposal with respect to which a notification has been given only if the person— The publication of a notification under this paragraph must be in such manner as appears to the person publishing it to be appropriate for bringing its contents to the attention of such persons as that person considers appropriate.
OFCOM may give a person a notification under this paragraph if they determine that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the person is contravening, or has contravened, a regulatory requirement. A notification under this paragraph must— A notification under this paragraph must also specify the period during which the person notified has an opportunity— The specified period must be at least one month beginning with the day after the day the notification is given unless— A contravention is a repeated contravention, in relation to a notification with respect to the contravention, if— OFCOM may (on one or more occasions) extend the specified period.
OFCOM may require a person falling within sub-paragraph (2) to provide them with all such information as they consider necessary for the purpose of carrying out any of their functions in relation to postal services. The persons within this sub-paragraph are— The required information may, in particular, include information required for any one or more of the following purposes— A demand for information under this paragraph must be proportionate to the use to which the information is to be put in the carrying out of OFCOM’s functions.
A person required to provide information under paragraph 1 or 3 must provide it in such manner and within such reasonable period as may be specified by OFCOM. OFCOM must require the provision of information under paragraph 1 or 3 by a demand which— The reasons for requiring information for statistical purposes under paragraph 1 or 3 must set out the statistical purposes for which the information is required. A demand for information under paragraph 1 or 3 must be contained in a notice served on the person from whom the information is required. This is subject to an exception in the case of information required by OFCOM for the purpose of ascertaining who is liable to charges under Schedule 4. In that case, the demand—
A notification under paragraph 2— If a notification under paragraph 2 has been given to a person in respect of a contravention of a regulatory requirement, OFCOM may give a further notification in respect of the same contravention of that requirement only if—
OFCOM may not give a notification under paragraph 2 in relation to a contravention if—
they decide that a more appropriate way of proceeding in relation to the contravention would be under the Competition Act 1998, and
they publish a statement to that effect in such manner as they consider appropriate for bringing their decision to the attention of the persons who, in their opinion, are likely to be affected by it.
For the purposes of the definition of “qualifying accrued rights”—
references to pensions or other benefits (including future benefits) do not include money purchase benefits but, subject to that, do include benefits attributable to additional voluntary contributions, and
references to a right include a pension credit right.
In the event that qualifying members of the RMPP include any person (“P”) who is in pensionable service under the RMPP after the qualifying time— are to be determined for the purposes of this Part on the assumption that P had opted, immediately before the qualifying time, to terminate that service.
the qualifying accrued rights in respect of P, and
the amounts payable in respect of those rights,
The Minister for the Civil Service or the Secretary of State may by order establish a scheme (a “new public scheme”) which, in respect of pensionable service under the RMPP before the qualifying time, provides for pensions or other benefits to be payable to or in respect of persons who are or have been qualifying members of the RMPP.
The Minister for the Civil Service or the Secretary of State may by order make provision for the transfer of qualifying accrued rights to a new public scheme (without the need for any approval or consent to the transfer).
An order under subsection (2) may include provision for the discharge of liabilities in respect of the qualifying accrued rights that are transferred.
A new public scheme may—
include provision for increasing in particular circumstances the amounts payable in respect of qualifying accrued rights,
include provision in relation to any persons who are active members of the RMPP which (despite the effect of section 16(3)) differs from the provision made in relation to persons who are deferred members of the RMPP,
include provision for the payment of transfer values, and
include provision for the transfer of money purchase benefits under the RMPP into the scheme (whether or not the contributions to which those benefits are attributable are made before or after the qualifying time) and the conversion of those benefits into benefits under the scheme.
An order under this section may include provision for treating a new public scheme as an occupational pension scheme for the purposes of any provision made by or under any enactment specified, or of a description specified, in the order.
An order under this section may include provision for—
treating a new public scheme as a salary-related contracted out scheme for the purposes of Part 3 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993, and
applying any provision of that Part with modifications.
Provision made by an order under this section may have retrospective effect.
The Minister for the Civil Service or the Secretary of State may—
provide for a new public scheme to be administered by any person, and
delegate to any person any functions exercisable by the Minister for the Civil Service or the Secretary of State under a new public scheme.
The Secretary of State may by order make provision for—
the division of the RMPP into different sections,
the participation of different companies in the different sections, and
the allocation of assets, rights, liabilities or obligations between the different sections.
Provision made by an order under this section may have retrospective effect.
The Secretary of State may by order make such amendments of the RMPP as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in connection with any order made under section 17 or 18.
The provision that may be made by an order under this section includes provision authorising or requiring the amount of pensions or other benefits payable to or in respect of qualifying members of the RMPP to be determined in particular circumstances by reference to pensionable service under the RMPP before and after the qualifying time.
Provision made by an order under this section may have retrospective effect.
Subsection (2) applies to ...—
the exercise by the Minister for the Civil Service or the Secretary of State of the power to make an order under section 17 in a case where the order contains provision establishing a new public scheme or transferring qualifying accrued rights to a new public scheme, and
the exercise by the Secretary of State of the power to make an order under section 18 or 19.
In exercising the power the Minister making the order must ensure that the relevant pensions provision in respect of each person who is or has been a member of the RMPP is, in all material respects, at least as good immediately after the exercise of the power as it is immediately before the exercise of the power.
“The relevant pensions provision” means the provision for the payment of pensions or other benefits which is contained in the RMPP or in a new public scheme.
Subsections (1) to (3) do not require provision to be included in a new public scheme if the Minister making the order is of the opinion that the provision would be incompatible with any enactment or assimilated obligation (including any enactment applying as a result of any provision made under this Part).
Nothing in subsections (1) to (3) is to be read as—
requiring particular provisions of the RMPP or a new public scheme to take the same or similar form,
requiring a new public scheme to be established in a particular way,
requiring any power or duty conferred or imposed by the RMPP or a new public scheme to be exercised or performed in a particular way, or
affecting any power of any person to amend the RMPP or a new public scheme.
The power of the Minister for the Civil Service or the Secretary of State to amend a new public scheme may not be exercised in any manner which would or might adversely affect any provision of the scheme made in respect of qualifying accrued rights unless—
the consent requirements are satisfied in respect of the exercise of the power in that manner, or
the scheme is amended in the prescribed manner.
The consent requirements are those prescribed for the purpose of obtaining the consent of members of the scheme to its amendment.
The Secretary of State may by order make provision for the transfer of assets of the RMPP to—
the Minister for the Civil Service or the Secretary of State,
a nominee of the Treasury, or
a fund established by the Minister for the Civil Service or the Secretary of State for the purpose of holding the assets pending their disposal.
An order under this section may be made only if an order under section 17 is being, or has been, made.
An order under this section may include provision for—
the delegation to any person of the administration and management of any fund within subsection (1)(c), and
the making of payments into the Consolidated Fund.
This section needs to be read with section 22 (which contains restrictions on the exercise of the power to make a transfer under this section).
The power of the Secretary of State to make an order under section 21 (a “transfer order”) must be exercised so as to secure that the ratio of assets to liabilities of the RMPP immediately after the relevant time is at least equal to the ratio of the assets to liabilities of the RMPP immediately before that time.
“The relevant time” is the time at which the order under section 17 in consequence of which the transfer order is made has effect.
For the purposes of this section any reference to the assets or liabilities of the RMPP is to their amount or value determined, calculated and verified by a prescribed person and in the prescribed manner.
In calculating the value of any liabilities for those purposes, a provision of the RMPP that limits the amount of its liabilities by reference to the amount of its assets is to be disregarded.
For the purposes of this section as it applies in relation to the transfer of assets after the relevant time by virtue of a transfer order—
treat the assets as if they had been transferred at the relevant time, but
disregard so much of the assets as were transferred to reflect the fact that the assets were not actually transferred at the relevant time.
The Treasury may by regulations make provision for varying the way in which any relevant tax would, apart from the regulations, have effect in relation to—
a new public scheme,
members of a new public scheme, or
a fund within section 21(1)(c).
Regulations under subsection (1) may include provision for treating a new public scheme as a registered pension scheme.
The Treasury may by regulations make provision for varying the way in which any relevant tax would, apart from the regulations, have effect in relation to, or in connection with, anything done in relation to— by or under, or in consequence of, an order made under this Part.
the RMPP, or
any members of the RMPP,
Regulations under subsection (1) or (3) may include provision for any of the following—
a tax provision not to apply or to apply with modifications,
anything done to have or not to have a specified consequence for the purposes of a tax provision, and
the withdrawal of relief and the charging of a relevant tax.
Provision made by regulations under subsection (1) or (3), other than provision withdrawing a relief or charging a relevant tax, may have retrospective effect.
The Treasury may by regulations make provision, in relation to qualifying accounting periods, for extinguishing such losses made in a trade as they consider are attributable to deductions made for, or in connection with, contributions in respect of qualifying members of the RMPP.
A “qualifying” accounting period is one beginning on or after the date (“the trigger date”) on which an order under section 17 is made establishing a new public scheme or transferring qualifying accrued rights to a new public scheme.
Regulations under subsection (6) have effect only if the company whose losses are extinguished is wholly owned by the Crown (within the meaning of Part 1) on the day before the trigger date.
In this section—
“Post Office company” has the meaning given by section 6,
This paragraph applies if— The access condition may include— Provision may not be included in an access condition as a result of this paragraph if it would have the effect of requiring a person who provides services pursuant to the arrangements to do more than the person could be required to do pursuant to the arrangements as they have effect before the condition is imposed.
An access condition imposed on a person may include provision for securing that obligations contained in the condition are complied with within the periods or at the times required by or under the condition.
An access condition imposed on a person may include provision requiring the person—
to publish all such information as OFCOM may direct (in such manner as they may direct) for the purpose of securing transparency in relation to access matters, or
to publish (in such manner as OFCOM may direct) the terms and conditions on which the person is willing to offer access.
Before refusing or withdrawing their approval of a redress scheme, OFCOM must give the person who administers the scheme (“the scheme administrator”) a notice— That period must be at least one month beginning with the day after the day the notice is given. OFCOM must give notice (a “decision notice”) to the scheme administrator of— If the decision is to withdraw approval, OFCOM must also give notice of their decision and the reasons for it to the Secretary of State. The scheme administrator must give a copy of a decision notice to each member of the scheme. If OFCOM decide to withdraw approval, the withdrawal has effect in accordance with, and from the date specified in, the decision notice.
In this Schedule—
OFCOM must determine before the end of the transitional period what regulatory conditions (“initial conditions”) are to apply to postal operators on and after the appointed day. Except as mentioned below, the initial conditions applicable to— must be to substantially the same effect as the licence conditions applying immediately before the appointed day to the universal service provider or (as the case may be) in relation to the corresponding description of operator. Sub-paragraph (2) does not apply to consumer protection conditions (and, accordingly, references elsewhere in this Schedule to initial conditions do not include consumer protection conditions). If it appears to OFCOM to be unnecessary to maintain any provision made by the existing licence conditions, sub-paragraph (2) does not require OFCOM to replicate that provision in the initial conditions. The provisions of Part 3 as to what regulatory conditions may be imposed—
During the transitional period the provisions of Part 3 relating to— have effect so far as necessary to enable OFCOM to undertake work with a view to making a designation, or imposing regulatory conditions, under that Part as soon as practicable on or after the appointed day. The work referred to in sub-paragraph (1) includes, in particular, consultation with existing licensed operators and others in connection with the imposition of regulatory conditions.
This paragraph applies to a contravention of a condition of a licence under Part 2 of the 2000 Act in respect of which Postcomm was in the process of doing something immediately before the day on which paragraph 3 of Schedule 12 comes into force (repeal of Part 2 of 2000 Act). OFCOM are to have the power to do anything that they consider appropriate to do in relation to the contravention in question. In particular, OFCOM may continue or discontinue any legal proceedings under section 30 of the 2000 Act (financial penalties) begun by Postcomm in respect of the contravention in question. References in this paragraph to a contravention include anything that Postcomm considered might be a contravention.
The old company may for the purpose of giving effect to the proposed transfer make a scheme (a “postal transfer scheme”) for the transfer of property, rights and liabilities from it to the new company (or companies). A postal transfer scheme has effect only if— A postal transfer scheme may be made only at a time when the postal administration order is in force in relation to the old company. A postal transfer scheme takes effect at the time specified in the scheme. In the case of a proposed transfer falling within section 69(4)(a) (transfer to wholly-owned subsidiary), sub-paragraph (2)(a) does not apply.
A postal transfer scheme may transfer— The property, rights and liabilities that may be transferred by a postal transfer scheme include— The transfers to which effect may be given by a postal transfer scheme include ones that are to take effect as if there were no such contravention, liability or interference with any interest or right as there would otherwise be by reason of any provision having effect in relation to the terms on which the old company is entitled or subject to anything to which the transfer relates. In sub-paragraph (3) the reference to any provision is a reference to any provision, whether under an enactment or agreement or otherwise. Sub-paragraph (3) has effect where shares in a subsidiary of the old company are transferred as if the reference to the terms on which that company is entitled or subject to anything to which the transfer relates included a reference to the terms on which the subsidiary is entitled or subject to anything immediately before the transfer takes effect.
A postal transfer scheme may contain provision— For this purpose “relevant statutory functions” means powers and duties conferred or imposed on the old company by or under an enactment so far as they are connected with— Provision within sub-paragraph (1) may apply to relevant statutory functions so far as exercisable in an area specified or described in the provision.
A postal transfer scheme may— Nothing in paragraphs 13 to 17 limits sub-paragraph (1). In those paragraphs any reference to a transfer in accordance with a postal transfer scheme includes the creation in accordance with a postal transfer scheme of an interest, right or liability.
The Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1970 is amended as follows.
In paragraph 10(8) of Schedule 1 to the Solicitors Act 1974 (mail and other forms of communication), for “section 125(1) of the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “section 27 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In section 27(1) of the Welsh Development Agency Act 1975 (interpretation), in the definition of “universal service provider”—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In section 329(1) of the Highways Act 1980 (further provision as to interpretation), in the definition of “universal service provider”—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In section 8(3A) of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 (meaning of “instrument”), for “the same meaning as in the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “the meaning given by section 27 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In section 105(1) of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (general interpretation), in the definition of “universal service provider”—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
The Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 is amended as follows.
In section 30(10) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (payment of seamen’s wages), for “the Post Office company (within the meaning of Part IV of the Postal Services Act 2000), for that amount was despatched by the recorded delivery service” substitute “a Post Office company (as defined by section 6 of the Postal Services Act 2011), for that amount was despatched by a recorded delivery service”.
In section 81(3B) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 (interpretation)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In section 76(7)(g) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (discrimination by public authorities)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In paragraph 14(1) of Schedule 1 to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (excepted land for purposes of Part 1: interpretation), in paragraph (e) of the definition of “statutory undertaker” and paragraph (a) of the definition of “statutory undertaking”—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 is amended as follows.
This paragraph applies to licence conditions— The provision made by those licence conditions is to be regarded for the purposes of Part 3 as being capable of being imposed by a regulatory condition under that Part (to be known as a “transitory condition”). Accordingly— A transitory condition is (as a result of this sub-paragraph) to be treated as revoked at the time when the first universal postal service order under section 30 comes into force.
The provisions of Part 3 also come into force at the beginning of the transitional period so far as necessary to enable the making of any regulations, order or scheme by OFCOM or the Secretary of State.
This paragraph applies if, at any time on or after the day on which paragraph 3 of Schedule 12 comes into force, OFCOM are satisfied that a person has contravened a condition of a licence under Part 2 of the 2000 Act. Despite the repeal of that Part, OFCOM are to have—
A postal transfer scheme may provide, in relation to transfers in accordance with the scheme— In sub-paragraph (1)(c) “document” includes an agreement or instrument, but does not include an enactment.
In section 11(6) (miscellaneous amendments), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In section 158A(1) and (5)(b) (return of social security post), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In section 82(3) (powers of postal operators not affected by Act), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
If OFCOM modify the initial conditions, they may not impose any conditions that could not have been imposed under Part 2 of the 2000 Act. The provisions of Part 3 about— apply to initial conditions as to other regulatory conditions. Any decision of OFCOM pursuant to paragraph 4(2) is not to be regarded as an initial price control decision for the purposes of section 59. This paragraph applies in relation to transitory conditions as it applies in relation to other initial conditions, except that sub-paragraph (2)(a) does not apply in relation to the revocation of a transitory condition.
The provisions of section 55 and Schedule 8 (information) have effect during the transitional period so far as necessary for the purposes of the carrying out by OFCOM of their functions during or after that period. The provisions of section 56 (general restriction on disclosure of information) have effect accordingly.
A postal transfer scheme may contain provision about— For this purpose property, or a right, interest or liability, is “foreign” if an issue relating to it arising in any proceedings would (in accordance with the rules of private international law) be determined under the law of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.
In section 15(6)(b) (licence to erect scaffolding), in the definition of “statutory undertakers”, for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In section 158B(8) (requirement to supply information about redirection of post)—
in the definition of “postal operator”, for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
in the definition of “postal packet”, for the words from “meaning” to the end substitute “meaning as in that Part”.
In Part 2 of Schedule 1 (relevant authorities for purposes of section 28 only)—
omit paragraph 28D (together with the heading before it), and
in paragraph 28E—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
A postal transfer scheme may contain provision for and in connection with the payment of compensation to persons other than the old company and a new company if their property, rights, interests or liabilities have been affected by (or as a result of) a postal transfer scheme. The provision may provide for the appointment of an arbitrator to determine disputes about compensation.
A postal transfer scheme may make provision for disputes as to the effect of the scheme— to be referred to such arbitration as may be specified in or determined under the scheme.
between different new companies, or
between the old company and a new company,
This paragraph applies if, in consequence of a postal transfer scheme, a person (“P”) is entitled to possession of a document relating in part to the title to, or to the management of, land or other property. If the land or other property is in England and Wales— If the land or other property is in Scotland, section 16(1) of the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979 (omission of certain clauses in deeds) has effect in relation to the transfer as if— If the land or other property is in Northern Ireland—
If, at any time in a charging year, a postal operator provides a service within the scope of the universal postal service, the operator must, in respect of the service, pay to OFCOM the administrative charge (if any) that is fixed by OFCOM as applicable to the operator. OFCOM may fix the administrative charge for a charging year only if— Those principles must be such as appear to OFCOM to be likely to secure, on the basis of such estimates of the likely costs as it is practicable for them to make, that— OFCOM’s power to fix charges for a particular case includes— As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each charging year, OFCOM must publish a statement (a “financial statement”) setting out for that year— Any deficit or surplus shown (after applying this sub-paragraph for previous years) by a financial statement is to be carried forward and taken into account in determining what is required to satisfy the requirement imposed by virtue of sub-paragraph (3)(a) in relation to the following year. For the purposes of this paragraph “charging year” means—
This paragraph applies if— OFCOM may impose a penalty on the person if the person— If a notification under paragraph 4 relates to more than one contravention, a separate penalty may be imposed in respect of each contravention. If a notification under that paragraph relates to a continuing contravention, no more than one penalty may be imposed in respect of the period of contravention specified in the notification. The amount of a penalty imposed under this paragraph is to be such amount as OFCOM determine to be— The amount must not be more than twice the amount of the charge fixed for the year in relation to which the contravention occurred. In making the determination of the amount of the penalty OFCOM must have regard to— If OFCOM impose a penalty on a person under this paragraph, they must— A penalty imposed under this paragraph— This paragraph does not affect OFCOM’s power to bring proceedings (whether before or after the imposition of a penalty under this paragraph) for the recovery of the whole or part of an amount due to them under paragraph 1.
OFCOM may give a direction under this paragraph to any person who is providing one or more postal services (“the contravening person”). A direction under this paragraph is a direction that the entitlement of the contravening person to provide postal services— OFCOM may give a direction under this paragraph only if they are satisfied that conditions A to C are met. Condition A is that the contravening person is or has been in serious and repeated contravention of regulatory requirements. Condition B is that an attempt, by the giving of enforcement notifications under paragraph 5 or the imposition of penalties under paragraph 6 (or both), to secure compliance with the contravened requirements has failed. Condition C is that the giving of the direction is—
In the case of a foreign company—
paragraphs 42(2), 83 and 84 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act do not apply,
paragraphs 46(4), 49(4)(a), 54(2)(a), 71(5) and (6), 72(4) and (5) and 86 of that Schedule apply only if the company is subject to a requirement imposed by regulations under section 1043 or 1046 of the Companies Act 2006 (unregistered UK companies or overseas companies), and
paragraph 61 of that Schedule does not apply.
“Royal Mail company” has the meaning given by section 2,
inheritance tax,
This paragraph applies where— The degrouping provisions are not to apply by reason of the disposal or any agreement to make the disposal (if they otherwise would). For the purposes of this paragraph “51% subsidiary” has the same meaning as it has for the purposes of the Corporation Tax Acts (see Chapter 3 of Part 24 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010), but—
This Schedule makes provision for the enforcement of regulatory requirements imposed by OFCOM in carrying out their functions in relation to postal services. “Regulatory requirement” means— The reference to the enforcement of a regulatory condition includes the enforcement of an access condition containing provision as a result of paragraph 6 of Schedule 3 against the person (B) who has made the arrangements with a postal operator mentioned in that paragraph.
This paragraph applies (in addition to paragraph 5) if— OFCOM may impose a penalty on a person if the person has, in one or more of the respects notified, been in contravention of a requirement specified in the notification under paragraph 2. If a notification under paragraph 2 relates to more than one contravention, a separate penalty may be imposed in respect of each contravention. If a notification under that paragraph relates to a continuing contravention, no more than one penalty may be imposed in respect of the period of contravention specified in the notification. OFCOM may also impose a penalty on a person if the person is contravening, or has contravened, a requirement of an enforcement notification given under paragraph 5. If OFCOM impose a penalty on a person under this paragraph, they must— A penalty imposed under this paragraph—
OFCOM may require— to provide OFCOM with all such information as they consider necessary to carry out comparative overviews of the quality and prices of postal services. The overviews in question must be carried out— OFCOM may also require— to provide OFCOM, for use for such statistical purposes as they think fit, with information relating to the provision of postal services. A demand for information under this paragraph must be proportionate to the use to which the information is to be put in the carrying out of OFCOM’s functions.
This paragraph applies where— For the purposes of the application of a degrouping provision in the case of that disposal or agreement— “Relevant assets or chargeable interests” means assets or chargeable interests in relation to which, but for paragraph 7, the degrouping provision in question would have applied by reason of the disposal or agreement mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a). In this paragraph—
The amount of a penalty imposed under paragraph 6 on a person is to be such amount as OFCOM determine to be— The amount must not be more than 10% of the turnover of the person’s postal services business for the relevant period, calculated in accordance with such rules as may be set out by order made by the Secretary of State. For the purposes of this paragraph— In making the determination of the amount of the penalty OFCOM must have regard to— An order under this paragraph is subject to affirmative resolution procedure.
In this Schedule—
A transfer scheme may contain provision— A transfer scheme may contain provision for the creation of rights and liabilities for the purpose of converting arrangements between different parts of a transferor's undertaking into a contract— A transfer scheme may contain provision— A transfer scheme may contain provision for interests, rights or liabilities of third parties in relation to anything to which the scheme relates to be modified in the manner set out in the scheme. Paragraph 3(2)(c) and (3) apply to the creation of interests and rights as they apply to the transfer of interests and rights.
This paragraph applies where a person would otherwise be entitled, in consequence of anything done or likely to be done by or under this Act in connection with a transfer scheme— The entitlement— Where shares in a subsidiary of the transferor are transferred, sub-paragraph (2) has effect in relation to an interest or right of the subsidiary as if the references to the transfer of the interest or right included a reference to the transfer of the shares. A transfer scheme that (as a result of paragraph 5(1)) contains an obligation to enter into or execute an agreement or instrument may provide for sub-paragraphs (1) to (3) to apply to interests or rights affected by— Where the scheme does so provide, sub-paragraphs (1) to (3) apply in relation to the interests or rights as if references there to the transfer scheme included the agreement or instrument.
The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 apply to a transfer (under a transfer scheme) of rights and liabilities under a contract of employment (whether or not the transfer would otherwise be a relevant transfer for the purposes of those regulations).
In deciding whether to approve a redress scheme, OFCOM must have regard to— “Applicable best practice” means the principles— OFCOM must not approve a redress scheme unless— Sub-paragraph (3)(a) is not to be read as preventing OFCOM from approving a redress scheme that contains provision as to the expulsion of its members. The minimum types of redress are— The matters are— The persons are— In this paragraph “the independent adjudicator” means the person mentioned in section 52(2) who investigates and determines the complaints.
The way in which a regulatory condition is to be imposed or modified is by the publication of a notification setting out the condition or modification. The way in which a regulatory condition is to be revoked is by the publication of a notification stating that the condition is revoked. Before imposing, modifying or revoking a regulatory condition, OFCOM must publish a notification— The specified period must be at least one month beginning with the day after the day the notification is published. OFCOM may give effect, with or without modifications, to a proposal with respect to which they have published a notification only if they— The publication of a notification under this paragraph must be in such manner as appears to OFCOM to be appropriate for bringing its contents— The requirements of this paragraph apply even if OFCOM is under a duty under any other provision of Part 3 of this Act to impose or modify a condition.
Paragraphs 1, 40 to 50, 54, 59 to 68, 70 to 75, 79, 83 to 91, 98 to 107, 109 to 111 and 112 to 116 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act are to have effect in relation to postal administration orders as they have effect in relation to administration orders under that Schedule, but with the modifications set out in this Part of this Schedule.
Schedule 1 to the Public Records Act 1958 (definition of public records) is amended as follows. Omit— The company that was nominated under section 62 of the Postal Services Act 2000 (reorganisation of the Post Office: transfer of property etc to nominated company). A Post Office company within the meaning of Part 1 of the Postal Services Act 2011. A Royal Mail company within the meaning of Part 1 of the Postal Services Act 2011.
In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments etc subject to investigation), omit the entry relating to the Postal Services Commission.
The Post Office Act 1969 is amended as follows.
In section 73(1) of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 (interpretation), in the definition of “statutory undertakers”—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
Director of any of the following, being a director appointed or nominated by a Minister of the Crown or by a person acting on behalf of the Crown— a Post Office company, a Royal Mail company, the original holding company, and a parent company of a company within any of paragraphs (a) to (c). Expressions used in paragraphs (a) to (d) have the same meaning as in Part 1 of the Postal Services Act 2011.
In section 61(1) of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (interpretation), in the definition of “universal postal service provider”—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In paragraph 12(2) of the Schedule to the Office of Communications Act 2002 (OFCOM’s annual report), omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (a) and after that paragraph insert—.
In section 13(3) of the London Local Authorities Act 2004 (defacement of buildings: protection of universal postal service providers)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000 (c. 26)” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “section 86(4) of that Act” substitute “section 86(4) of the Postal Services Act 2000”.
In section 24(5) of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 (functions to which sections 21 and 22 apply), omit paragraph (d).
In section 75 of the London Local Authorities Act 2007 (mail forwarding businesses), for subsection (11) substitute—
If an employee of the transferor becomes an employee of a transferee as a result of a transfer scheme—
a period of employment with the transferor is to be treated as a period of employment with the transferee, and
the transfer to the transferee is not to be treated as a break in service.
A relevant company must consult the Keeper of Public Records before it alters in any significant respect any arrangements it has made for the preservation of any of its public records. “Relevant company” means a company an entry for which is inserted (or re-inserted) into Schedule 1 to the Public Records Act 1958 as a result of provision made by or under paragraph 82(3) or 84(1). “Public records” means records that are public records for the purposes of that Act.
Section 139 (application to Northern Ireland) is amended as follows. In subsection (3)— After that subsection insert—
The Lord Chancellor may by order amend Schedule 1 to the Public Records Act 1958 so as— The provision that, as a result of section 89(2)(a), may be made by an order under sub-paragraph (1) that omits an entry for a company includes, in particular, provision for— to continue to apply to the company in respect of such of its records as were public records for the purposes of that Act immediately before the order comes into force. An order under sub-paragraph (1) may be made only if the Secretary of State has consented to the making of the order. An order under sub-paragraph (1) is subject to negative resolution procedure.
Paragraph 93 of Schedule 4 (adaptation of enactments etc) is amended as follows. Omit, in each place, “(within the meaning of the Postal Services Act 2000)”. In sub-paragraph (1), omit “(within the meaning of the Act)”. In this paragraph “universal service provider” and “universal postal service” have the same meaning as in Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011.
Unless it provides otherwise, a direction under paragraph 11 takes effect for an indefinite period beginning with the time at which it is notified to the person to whom it is given. A direction under paragraph 11— Those conditions may include a condition requiring the making of payments— OFCOM may revoke a direction under this paragraph or modify its conditions— For the purposes of paragraph 11 there are repeated contraventions by a person of regulatory requirements to the extent that—
The applicable provisions and Schedule 1 to the 1986 Act (as applied by paragraph 60(1) of Schedule B1 to that Act) are to be read by reference to the limitation imposed on the scope of the postal administration order in question as a result of section 68(4) above. Sub-paragraph (1) has effect, in particular, so that—
OFCOM are not to give a direction under paragraph 11 unless they have— That period must be at least one month beginning with the day after the day the notification is given. This paragraph does not apply in an urgent case (as to which, see paragraph 14).
Paragraph 41 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act (dismissal of receivers) is to have effect as if—
Where a postal administration order takes effect in respect of a company— must refrain, during the period specified in sub-paragraph (1A), from performing those functions in the United Kingdom or in relation to any of the company’s property in the United Kingdom. That period is—
sub-paragraphs (2) to (4) were omitted.
In an urgent case, OFCOM must, as soon as reasonably practicable after giving a direction under paragraph 11, give the contravening person— A case is urgent for the purposes of this paragraph if OFCOM— The contraventions fall within this sub-paragraph if they have resulted in or create an immediate risk of—
Paragraph 43(6A) of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act (moratorium on appointment to receiverships) is to have effect as if for “An administrative receiver” there were substituted “A person with functions equivalent to those of an administrative receiver”.
Paragraph 44(7) of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act (proceedings to which interim moratorium does not apply) is to have effect as if for paragraph (d) there were substituted—
Paragraph 64 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act (general powers of administrator) is to have effect as if—
in sub-paragraph (1), after “power” there were inserted “in relation to the affairs or business of the company so far as carried on in the United Kingdom or to its property in the United Kingdom”, and
in sub-paragraph (2)(b), after “instrument” there were inserted “or by the law of the place where the company is incorporated”.
“tax provision” means any provision made by or under an enactment relating to a relevant tax.
The Minister for the Civil Service or the Secretary of State may by order make provision for requiring any prescribed person to disclose any information (whether in the form of a document or otherwise) to the Minister for the Civil Service or the Secretary of State for any purpose of this Part.
Information that— may be shared among relevant persons for the purpose of facilitating the administration of the RMPP or new public scheme.
relates to pensions or other benefits under the RMPP or a new public scheme, or
relates to the administration of the RMPP or a new public scheme in respect of those pensions or other benefits,
“Relevant persons” means—
the Secretary of State,
the Minister for the Civil Service,
any person who administers, or exercises functions under, a new public scheme,
the trustee of the RMPP,
any person who exercises functions on behalf of the trustee of the RMPP, or
any person who is or has been an employer of a qualifying member of the RMPP.
In the event that a section of the RMPP is constituted as a separate pension scheme the members of which consist of or include persons who are qualifying members of the RMPP—
any reference in subsection (2) to the RMPP includes that separate pension scheme, and
any reference in subsection (3) to the trustee of the RMPP includes the trustees or managers of that separate pension scheme.
Before making— the Minister for the Civil Service or the Secretary of State must consult the trustee of the RMPP and a Royal Mail company (within the meaning of Part 1).
an order under section 17 that contains provision establishing a new public scheme or transferring qualifying accrued rights to a new public scheme, or
any order under any other provision of this Part,
The Minister for the Civil Service or the Secretary of State may not make an order under any provision of this Part (apart from section 24) unless the Treasury have consented to its making.
Any order under this Part is subject to negative resolution procedure.
Any order under this Part may provide for it (or any of its provisions) to come into force on a specified day.
A “specified day” means a day specified in an order made by the Minister for the Civil Service or the Secretary of State under this subsection (and different days may be specified for different purposes). Subsections (1) to (3) do not apply to an order under this subsection.
A statutory instrument containing regulations under section 23 is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the House of Commons.
Nothing in any provision of this Part that authorises the inclusion of any particular kind of provision in any order, regulations or scheme is to be read as restricting the generality of the provision that may be included in the order, regulations or scheme.
In this Part—
“active member” has the meaning given by section 124(1) of the Pensions Act 1995,
“universal postal service order” has the meaning given by section 30,
The following provisions of the 1986 Act are to have effect in the case of any postal administration with the following modifications.
Section 5 (effect of approval of voluntary arrangements) is to have effect as if after subsection (4) there were inserted—
Section 6 (challenge of decisions in relation to voluntary arrangements) is to have effect as if—
in subsection (2), for “this section” there were substituted “subsection (1)”,
after that subsection there were inserted—,
in subsection (4), after “subsection (1)” there were inserted “or, in the case of an application under subsection (2AA), as to the ground mentioned in that subsection”, and
after subsection (7) there were inserted—
In section 129(1A) (commencement of winding up), the reference to paragraph 13(1)(e) of Schedule B1 is to include section 71(1)(e) of this Act.
includes a postal packet containing any communication within paragraph (a),
“the qualifying time” means the time immediately before such date as may be prescribed (which may be before the passing of this Act),
A transfer scheme may identify the property, rights and liabilities to be transferred by specifying or describing them. A transfer scheme may provide for the way in which property, rights or liabilities of any description are to be identified.
A transfer scheme may impose on a transferee or transferor an obligation— A transfer scheme that imposes such an obligation may provide that paragraph 3(3) applies (to the extent specified in the scheme) in relation to— Subject to that, nothing in paragraph 3 enables— to give effect to a transfer, or to create an interest or right, that could not otherwise have been made or created by or under the agreement or instrument. An obligation imposed as a result of sub-paragraph (1) may be enforced by the person with, or in favour of, whom the agreement or instrument is to be entered into or executed, in proceedings for any of the following—
A transfer scheme may— Nothing in paragraphs 9 to 13 limits sub-paragraph (1). In those paragraphs any reference to a transfer in accordance with a transfer scheme includes the creation in accordance with a transfer scheme of an interest, right or liability.
Access conditions imposed on a person may include provision of the kind mentioned in the following provisions of this Part of this Schedule.
In section 91(3B) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (interpretation)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In paragraph 1(1A) of Schedule 6 to the Land Drainage Act 1991 (protection for particular undertakings)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
The Social Security Administration Act 1992 is amended as follows.
In section 307(1) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (interpretation of terms), in the definition of “postal operator”, for “section 125(1) of the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “section 27 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In section 38(5) of the Planning (Hazardous Substances) (Scotland) Act 1997 (interpretation)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In paragraph 19A(9) of Schedule 7 to the Competition Act 1998 (performance of the Commission’s general functions), in the definition of “special reference group”, omit paragraph (l).
In section 17A(3) of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (free delivery of election addresses), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In paragraph 1(4) of Schedule 12 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (assistance available to designated organisations: right to send referendum address post free), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
The Enterprise Act 2002 is amended as follows.
In Schedule 7 to the Water Act 2003, omit paragraph 33 (which made amendments superseded by this Act).
In Schedule 12 to the Railways Act 2005, omit paragraph 15 (which made amendments superseded by this Act).
A transfer scheme may provide, in relation to transfers in accordance with the scheme— In sub-paragraph (1)(c) “document” includes an agreement or instrument, but does not include an enactment.
In section 182A(1) and (5)(b) (return of social security post), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
Section 168 (regulated markets) is amended as follows. In subsection (3)— In subsection (4)— In subsection (5), omit paragraph (h).
A transfer scheme may contain provision about— For the purposes of this paragraph property, or a right, interest or liability, is “foreign” if an issue relating to it arising in any proceedings would (in accordance with the rules of private international law) be determined under the law of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.
In section 182B(8) (requirement to supply information about redirection of post)—
in the definition of “postal operator”, for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
in the definition of “postal packet”, for the words from “meaning” to the end substitute “meaning as in that Part”.
In Schedule 9, omit paragraph 14 (which made an amendment superseded by this Act).
A transfer scheme may contain provision for and in connection with the payment of compensation to third parties whose property, rights, interests or liabilities have been affected by (or as a result of) a transfer scheme. The provision may provide for the appointment of an arbitrator to determine disputes about compensation.
Postal Services Act 2011.
A transfer scheme may make provision for disputes as to the effect of the scheme— to be referred to such arbitration as may be specified in or determined under the scheme.
between different transferees, or
between a transferee and a transferor,
In Schedule 25, omit paragraph 42 (which made an amendment superseded by this Act).
This paragraph applies if, in consequence of a transfer scheme, a person (“P”) is entitled to possession of a document relating in part to the title to, or to the management of, land or other property. If the land or other property is in England and Wales— If the land or other property is in Scotland, section 16(1) of the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979 (omission of certain clauses in deeds) has effect in relation to the transfer as if— If the land or other property is in Northern Ireland—
Any reference in this Part to amending the RMPP includes—
amending the trust deed or rules of the RMPP or any other instrument relating to the constitution, management or operation of the RMPP, and
amending any instrument relating to the provision of financial support to or in relation to the RMPP.
“Postal services” means—
the service of conveying postal packets from one place to another by post,
the incidental services of receiving, collecting, sorting and delivering postal packets, and
any other service which relates to, and is provided in conjunction with, any service within paragraph (a) or (b).
“Postal packet” means a letter, parcel, packet or other article transmissible by post.
“Postal operator” means a person who provides—
the service of conveying postal packets from one place to another by post, or
any of the incidental services of receiving, collecting, sorting and delivering postal packets.
A person is not to be regarded as a postal operator merely as a result of receiving postal packets in the course of acting as an agent for, or otherwise on behalf of, another.
The Secretary of State may make regulations prescribing circumstances in which subsection (4) is not to apply.
Regulations under subsection (5) are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.
Persons may provide postal services without the need for any licence or authorisation, but the provision of those services by postal operators may be subject to regulatory conditions that OFCOM may impose on them under this Part.
In this Part a “regulatory condition” means any of the following conditions—
a designated USP condition (see sections 36 and 37),
a USP access condition (see section 38 and Schedule 3),
a USP accounting condition (see section 39),
a notification condition (see section 41),
a general universal service condition (see section 42),
an essential condition (see section 49),
a general access condition (see section 50 and Schedule 3), and
a consumer protection condition (see sections 51 and 52).
OFCOM must carry out their functions in relation to postal services in a way that they consider will secure the provision of a universal postal service.
Accordingly, the power of OFCOM to impose access or other regulatory conditions is subject to the duty imposed by subsection (1).
In performing their duty under subsection (1) OFCOM must have regard to—
the need for the provision of a universal postal service to be financially sustainable, and
the need for the provision of a universal postal service to be efficient before the end of a reasonable period and for its provision to continue to be efficient at all subsequent times.
The reference in subsection (3)(a) to the need for the provision of a universal postal service to be financially sustainable includes the need for a reasonable commercial rate of return for any universal service provider on any expenditure incurred by it for the purpose of, or in connection with, the provision by it of a universal postal service.
In subsection (3)(b) “a reasonable period” means such period beginning with the day on which the provisions of this Part come generally into force as OFCOM consider, in all the circumstances, to be reasonable.
OFCOM's duty under subsection (1) includes a duty to carry out their functions in relation to postal services in a way that they consider will secure the provision of sufficient access points to meet the reasonable needs of users of the universal postal service.
The Secretary of State may direct OFCOM to take, or refrain from taking, specified action for the purpose of securing that, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, sufficient access points are provided throughout the United Kingdom to meet the interests of the public.
The duty imposed on OFCOM as a result of subsection (6) is subject to any direction given under this section.
The action that may be specified in a direction under this section includes the imposition of a regulatory condition consisting of or including provision specified in the direction.
Before giving a direction under this section, the Secretary of State must consult OFCOM.
In this Part “access point” means any box, receptacle or other facility provided for the purpose of receiving postal packets, or any class of postal packets, for onwards transmission by post.
OFCOM must by order (a “universal postal service order”) set out—
a description of the services that they consider should be provided in the United Kingdom as a universal postal service, and
the standards with which those services are to comply.
A universal postal service must, as a minimum, include each of the services set out in section 31 (as read with sections 32 and 33).
Before making or modifying a universal postal service order, OFCOM must carry out an assessment of the extent to which the market for the provision of postal services in the United Kingdom is meeting the reasonable needs of the users of those services.
Subsection (3) does not apply in relation to the making of the first universal postal service order; but OFCOM must carry out an assessment of the kind mentioned in that subsection before the end of the period of 18 months beginning with the day on which the provisions of this Part come generally into force.
The Secretary of State may direct OFCOM to secure that the first universal postal service order does not include services of a description specified in the direction.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
the universal postal service order, and
any modifications of the order.
This section sets out the services that must, as a minimum, be included in a universal postal service. Requirement 1: delivery of letters or other postal packets At least one delivery of letters every Monday to Saturday— to the home or premises of every individual or other person in the United Kingdom, or to such identifiable points for the delivery of postal packets as OFCOM may approve. At least one delivery of other postal packets every Monday to Friday to the places within paragraph (1)(a) or (b). The references in this requirement to the delivery of letters or other postal packets include the delivery of packets posted outside the United Kingdom. Requirement 2: collection of letters or other postal packets At least one collection of letters every Monday to Saturday from every access point in the United Kingdom used for the purpose of receiving postal packets, or any class of them, for onwards transmission in connection with the provision of a universal postal service. At least one collection of other postal packets every Monday to Friday from every access point in the United Kingdom used for that purpose. The references in this requirement to the onwards transmission of letters or other postal packets include their onwards transmission to places outside the United Kingdom. Requirement 3: service at affordable prices in accordance with uniform public tariff A service of conveying postal packets from one place to another by post (including the incidental services of receiving, collecting, sorting and delivering them) at affordable prices determined in accordance with a public tariff which is uniform throughout the United Kingdom. The reference in this requirement to conveying postal packets from one place to another includes conveying them to places outside the United Kingdom. Requirement 4: registered items service A registered items service at affordable prices determined in accordance with a public tariff which is uniform throughout the United Kingdom. Requirement 5: insured items service An insured items service at affordable prices determined in accordance with a public tariff which is uniform throughout the United Kingdom. Requirement 6: services to blind or partially sighted The provision free of charge of such postal services as are specified in the universal postal service order to such descriptions of blind or partially sighted persons as are so specified. Requirement 7: legislative petitions and addresses A service of conveying free of charge qualifying legislative petitions and addresses.
“Insured items service” means a service of conveying postal packets from one place to another by post which, in the event of the theft or loss of or damage to the packets, provides for the payment of an amount up to the value of the packets as declared by the sender.
“Legislative petitions and addresses” means—
petitions and addresses to Her Majesty meeting the weight and covers requirements which are sent by post to a member of a legislative body,
petitions meeting those requirements which are addressed to a legislative body and are sent by post to a member of such a body or to the Clerk of the Scottish Parliament, or
petitions and addresses forwarded to Her Majesty or, in Northern Ireland, to the Secretary of State.
For the purposes of subsection (2)—
a “legislative body” means either House of Parliament, the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales or the Northern Ireland Assembly, and
petitions or addresses meet the “weight and covers requirements” if they do not exceed 1 kilogram in weight and are sent without covers or in covers open at the sides.
“Registered items service” means a service of conveying postal packets from one place to another by post which provides—
for the registration of the packets in connection with their conveyance by post, and
for the payment of an amount determined by the person providing the service in the event of the theft or loss of or damage to the packets.
In this section references to conveying postal packets from one place to another include—
the incidental services of receiving, collecting, sorting and delivering them, and
conveying them to places outside the United Kingdom.
Nothing in section 31 requires the doing of anything in relation to a letter or other postal packet—
whose weight exceeds 20 kilograms, or
whose dimensions fall outside the minimum and maximum dimensions laid down in the Convention and the Agreement concerning Postal Parcels adopted by the Universal Postal Union.
The requirements in section 31 in respect of the delivery or collection of letters or other postal packets (requirements 1 and 2)—
do not need to be met on any day which is (in the part of the United Kingdom concerned) a public holiday, and
do not need to be met in such geographical conditions or other circumstances as OFCOM consider to be exceptional.
Nothing in section 31 is to be read—
as requiring a service to continue without interruption, suspension or restriction in an emergency, or
as preventing individual agreements as to prices from being concluded with customers.
OFCOM may from time to time review the extent to which the provision made by section 31 reflects the reasonable needs of the users of postal services provided in the United Kingdom.
A review under subsection (1) may, in particular, consider whether the requirements imposed by that section could be altered so as better to reflect those needs.
OFCOM must send a copy of each review under subsection (1) to the Secretary of State.
The Secretary of State may at any time direct OFCOM to carry out a review under subsection (1).
Where OFCOM have carried out a review under subsection (1), the Secretary of State may by order amend section 31.
The provision that may be made by an order under subsection (5) does not include the making of different provision in relation to different places in the United Kingdom.
An order under subsection (5)—
is subject to affirmative resolution procedure, and
may include such amendments of this Part as the Secretary of State considers necessary or expedient in consequence of any provision made by the order.
OFCOM may designate one or more postal operators as universal service providers.
But there are only two cases in which there may be more than one postal operator designated as a universal service provider.
The first case is where—
OFCOM have made a procurement determination under section 45 (fairness of bearing burden of universal service obligations), and
in the light of that determination, OFCOM consider it appropriate for the number of postal operators designated as universal service providers to be greater than one.
The second case is where—
a postal administration order has been made under Part 4, and
OFCOM consider it appropriate for the number of postal operators designated as universal service providers to be greater than one for, or in connection with, achieving the objective of the postal administration.
OFCOM must publish each designation in such way as they consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of members of the public.
The procedure to be followed for the making of a designation under this section must be provided for in regulations made by OFCOM.
OFCOM may—
review the designations for the time being in force, and
consider what (if any) designated USP conditions should continue to apply to each of the universal service providers.
The procedure to be followed on a review must be provided for in regulations made by OFCOM.
Regulations made by OFCOM must provide for a postal operator's designation to cease to have effect where, in any case described in the regulations, the operator is no longer subject to any universal service obligations.
Both the procedure for designations and the procedure for the conduct of review of designations provided for by regulations under this section must be one appearing to OFCOM—
to be efficient, objective, proportionate and transparent, and
not to involve, or to tend to give rise to, any undue discrimination against any person or description of persons.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OFCOM may impose a designated USP condition on a universal service provider.
A designated USP condition is a condition requiring the provider to do one or more of the following— In this subsection “specified” means specified in the condition.
to provide a universal postal service, or part of a universal postal service, throughout the United Kingdom, or in a specified area of the United Kingdom, in accordance with the standards set out in the universal postal service order,
to provide, or make arrangements for the provision of, access points for the purposes of a universal postal service,
to provide specified information (at such times and in such manner as OFCOM may direct) to other postal operators and users of postal services about the services within paragraph (a) that it is required to provide, and
to do anything else that OFCOM consider appropriate for the purposes of, or in consequence of, the obligations imposed under any of paragraphs (a) to (c).
OFCOM may impose a designated USP condition only if they consider it is necessary to do so in order to secure the provision of a service of a description set out in the universal postal service order in accordance with the standards set out there.
A designated USP condition may make provision as to the tariffs to be used for determining prices in accordance with which a universal postal service, or part of a universal postal service, is provided.
In exercising the power conferred by subsection (4), OFCOM must seek to ensure that—
the prices are affordable,
the prices take account of the costs of providing the service or part of a service, and
the prices provide incentives to provide the service or part of a service efficiently.
A designated USP condition may impose performance targets.
If there are two or more universal service providers—
OFCOM must secure that there is no overlap in the universal service obligations imposed on the providers, and
designated USP conditions may require the providers to make arrangements for securing that a universal postal service operates uniformly and effectively throughout the United Kingdom.
In this Part “universal service obligations”, in relation to a universal service provider, means the obligations imposed on the provider by any designated USP condition.
A designated USP condition must include provision requiring the universal service provider concerned—
to publish information about the extent to which it is providing specified postal services in accordance with specified standards, and
to publish annually an independently audited performance report.
The reference here to an independently audited performance report is to a report that—
contains information about the provider's performance in complying with specified requirements under the designated USP condition, and
is audited by an independent person for accuracy and, if there are two or more universal service providers, for its usefulness in comparing information published by other universal service providers.
An “independent person” means a person who is independent of both OFCOM and universal service providers.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A designated USP condition may require the universal service provider concerned to meet the costs of the audit required as a result of subsection (1)(b).
A designated USP condition may include other provision requiring the universal service provider concerned to publish information about its performance in complying with specified requirements under the designated USP condition.
The provision made as a result of this section—
must include provision—
requiring information previously published to be updated and published again, and
requiring the published information to satisfy requirements that OFCOM consider appropriate to secure its adequacy, and
may include requirements as to the times at which, and the manner in which, the information is to be published.
In this section “specified” means specified in the designated USP condition.
OFCOM may impose a USP access condition on a universal service provider.
A USP access condition is a condition requiring the provider to do either or both of the following—
to give access to its postal network to other postal operators or users of postal services, and
to maintain a separation for accounting purposes between such different matters relating to access (including proposed or potential access) to its postal network as OFCOM may direct.
The provider's “postal network” means the systems and all the resources used by the provider for the purpose of complying with its universal service obligations (and, accordingly, includes arrangements made with others for the provision of any service).
OFCOM may not impose a USP access condition unless it appears to them that the condition is appropriate for each of the following purposes—
promoting efficiency,
promoting effective competition, and
conferring significant benefits on the users of postal services.
In addition, OFCOM may not impose any price controls on a universal service provider in a USP access condition unless it appears to them that the provider concerned—
might otherwise fix and maintain some or all of its prices at an excessively high level with adverse consequences for users of postal services, or
might otherwise impose a price squeeze with adverse consequences for users of postal services.
In imposing price controls in a USP access condition in connection with the giving of access to a universal service provider's postal network or to part of that network, OFCOM must have regard to such of the costs incurred in the provision of that network, or part of that network, as OFCOM consider appropriate.
In imposing price controls in a USP access condition OFCOM may—
have regard to the prices at which services are available in comparable competitive markets, and
determine what they consider to represent efficiency by using cost accounting methods.
In deciding what obligations to impose in a USP access condition in a particular case, OFCOM must (in addition to taking into account anything relevant for the purpose of performing their duty under section 29) take into account, in particular, the following factors—
the technical and economic viability, having regard to the state of market development, of installing and using facilities that would make the proposed access unnecessary,
the feasibility of giving the proposed access,
the investment made by the universal service provider concerned in relation to the matters in respect of which access is proposed,
the need to secure effective competition in the long term, and
any rights to intellectual property that are relevant to the proposal.
For the purposes of this section references to giving a person access to a provider's postal network include giving a person an entitlement to use, be provided with or become a party to any services, facilities or arrangements comprised in the postal network.
In Schedule 3—
Part 1 makes provision about the kind of matters that may be included in a USP access condition, and
Part 2 makes provision about the resolution of access disputes by OFCOM.
OFCOM may impose a USP accounting condition on a universal service provider.
A USP accounting condition is a condition requiring the provider to do one or more of the following—
to maintain a separation for accounting purposes between such different matters as OFCOM may direct for such purposes as they may direct,
to comply with rules made by OFCOM in relation to those matters about the identification of costs and cost orientation,
to comply with rules made by OFCOM about the use of cost accounting systems in relation to those matters, and
to secure that its compliance with those systems is audited annually by a qualified independent auditor.
An obligation within subsection (2)(a)—
may require the separation to be maintained in relation to different services, facilities or products or in relation to services, facilities or products provided in different areas, and
may impose requirements about the accounting methods to be used in maintaining the separation.
An obligation within subsection (2)(b) or (c)—
may include conditions requiring the application of presumptions in the fixing and determination of costs and charges for any purpose, and
may require the universal service provider concerned to publish such accounts and other information relating to anything required to be done as a result of those provisions as OFCOM consider appropriate.
An obligation within subsection (2)(d) may require the universal service provider concerned to meet the costs of the audit.
If a USP accounting condition imposes rules on a universal service provider about the use of cost accounting systems, OFCOM may secure that the condition also imposes an obligation on the provider to make arrangements for a description to be made available to the public of the cost accounting system used.
If OFCOM impose an obligation under subsection (6), the description of information to be made available must include details of—
the main categories under which costs are brought into account for the purposes of that system, and
the rules applied for the purposes of that system with respect to the allocation of costs.
In this section “qualified independent auditor” means a person who—
is eligible for appointment as a statutory auditor under Part 42 of the Companies Act 2006, and
if the appointment were an appointment as a statutory auditor, would not be prohibited from acting by section 1214 of that Act (independence requirement).
A postal service is within the scope of the universal postal service if—
the service falls within the description of a service set out in the universal postal service order, or
the service would fall within the description of a service set out in that order but for the fact that—
in the case of a service consisting of the delivery or collection of letters or other postal packets, the delivery or collection is not made on each of the days required by section 31 (see requirements 1 and 2),
the service is not provided throughout the United Kingdom, or
the service is not provided at an affordable price in accordance with a public tariff which is uniform throughout the United Kingdom, or
in the opinion of OFCOM the service is of a kind that, from the point of view of users of postal services, could reasonably be said to be interchangeable with a service of a description set out in that order.
In this section any reference to a service includes a part of a service.
OFCOM may impose a notification condition on—
every person providing, or intending to provide, a service within the scope of the universal postal service, or
every person providing, or intending to provide, a service within the scope of the universal postal service of a specified description.
A notification condition is a condition requiring the person to give OFCOM—
advance notice of the person's intention to provide a letters business on a specified scale (whether or not the person is currently providing a letters business or any other postal service), and
where the person is already providing a letters business on a specified scale, advance notice of the person's intention to expand the business by a specified extent.
A specified scale or extent may be determined by reference to any specified factor.
The Secretary of State may at any time direct OFCOM to impose a notification condition.
The direction may (but need not) specify some or all of the provision to be contained in the condition.
Where a notification condition applies to a person at a time when the person is not providing a postal service—
Schedule 7 (enforcement of regulatory conditions) is to have effect as if paragraph 7(2) and (3) were omitted and as if, for the purposes of paragraph 11, the person were providing a postal service, and
Schedule 8 (information provisions) is to have effect as if the person were a person falling within paragraph 1(2) and as if, for the purposes of paragraph 8, the person were providing a postal service.
In this section—
OFCOM may impose a general universal service condition on—
every postal operator providing a service within the scope of the universal postal service, or
every postal operator providing a service within the scope of the universal postal service of a description specified in the condition.
A general universal service condition is—
a condition containing such obligations as OFCOM consider necessary to impose for, or in connection with, securing the provision of a universal postal service in accordance with the standards set out in the universal postal service order, or
a condition containing such obligations as OFCOM consider necessary to impose for the purposes of section 46.
A general universal service condition may require a person—
to make contributions in accordance with any scheme established under section 46, and
to take such steps as may be required by any such scheme as regards contributions made by users of services within the scope of the universal postal service.
At any time when there is a universal service provider, nothing in subsection (2)(a) is to be read as authorising the imposition of a condition requiring a person—
to deliver or collect letters or other postal packets as mentioned in section 31,
to provide a service throughout the United Kingdom, or
to provide a service at an affordable price in accordance with a public tariff which is uniform throughout the United Kingdom.
Schedule 4 makes provision authorising OFCOM to impose charges on postal operators providing services within the scope of the universal postal service to meet costs incurred by OFCOM in carrying out their functions in relation to postal services.
OFCOM may from time to time review the extent (if any) of the financial burden for a universal service provider of complying with its universal service obligations.
In carrying out a review under this section OFCOM must consider the extent to which, in their opinion, the provider is complying with its universal service obligations in a cost-efficient manner.
If— that must be the method of calculation applied on a review under this section.
regulations under section 35 require the financial burden of complying with universal service obligations (or proposed universal service obligations) to be taken into account in determining whom to designate, and
the regulations provide for a particular method of calculating that burden to be used for the purposes of that determination,
If subsection (3) does not apply, the financial burden of complying is to be taken to be the amount calculated by OFCOM to be the net cost of compliance after allowing for market benefits accruing to the universal service provider from—
the provider's designation, and
the application to the provider of universal service obligations.
After carrying out a review under this section OFCOM must either—
ensure that the calculations made by them on the review are audited by a person who appears to them to be independent of universal service providers, or
carry out an audit of those calculations themselves.
OFCOM must ensure that a report on the audit—
is prepared, and
if not prepared by OFCOM, is provided to them.
OFCOM must publish—
their conclusions on the review, and
a summary of the report of the audit which was carried out as respects the calculations made for the purposes of that review.
The publication must be in such manner as OFCOM consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of the persons who, in their opinion, are likely to be affected by it.
The Secretary of State may at any time direct OFCOM to carry out a review under this section.
Unless directed to do so by the Secretary of State, OFCOM may not carry out a review under this section before the end of the period of 5 years beginning with the day on which this section comes into force.
This section applies if OFCOM—
have concluded on a review under section 44 that complying with its universal service obligations imposes a financial burden on a universal service provider, and
have published that conclusion in accordance with that section.
OFCOM must determine whether they consider it is or would be unfair for the provider to bear, or to continue to bear, the whole or a part of the burden of complying with its universal service obligations.
The determination by OFCOM of— must be made in accordance with regulations made by OFCOM.
whether it is or would be unfair for the provider to bear, or to continue to bear, that burden, or
the extent (if any) to which that is or would be unfair,
OFCOM must publish the determination.
The publication must be in such manner as OFCOM consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of the persons who, in their opinion, are likely to be affected by it.
If OFCOM determine that it is or would be unfair for the provider to bear, or to continue to bear, the whole or a part of that burden, they must submit a report to the Secretary of State setting out their recommendations as to the action (if any) that they consider ought to be taken to deal with the burden.
The report may make recommendations—
about the order in which action ought to be taken, and
as to whether the taking of action ought to be contingent on the success or otherwise of the taking of other action.
The recommended action may consist of one or more of the following—
the carrying out of a review under section 34 (review of minimum requirements),
requiring contributions to be made in accordance with section 46 for meeting some or all of that burden, and
the making of a procurement determination.
A procurement determination is a determination by OFCOM as to whether, in their opinion, any particular postal operator or operators (which may include the provider) could provide any of the postal services required to be provided by the universal service obligations concerned in a way which would mean that—
no unfair financial burden would be imposed on any person (or persons) in complying with those obligations, or
the financial burden imposed on any person (or persons) in complying with those obligations would be less unfair than the one mentioned in subsection (6).
A procurement determination must be made in accordance with regulations made by OFCOM.
After receiving the report under subsection (6), the Secretary of State must determine what action (if any) the Secretary of State considers ought to be taken by OFCOM to deal with the burden.
The Secretary of State may then direct OFCOM to take that action.
A direction under subsection (12) may make provision— In this subsection “specified” means specified in the direction.
about the order in which specified action is to be taken, and
for the taking of specified action to be contingent on the success or otherwise of the taking of other specified action.
A direction under subsection (12) may not require OFCOM to make a procurement determination at any time in the period of 10 years beginning with the day on which this section comes into force unless the universal service provider has agreed to the making of the determination.
This section applies where the Secretary of State has directed OFCOM to require contributions to be made for meeting some or all of the burden concerned.
The contributions are to be made by either or both of the following—
postal operators providing services within the scope of the universal postal service,
users of services within the scope of the universal postal service (by way of the charges paid by them).
OFCOM may determine that the contributions under this section are to be made only by a description of postal operator or user.
The assessment, collection and distribution of the contributions must be carried out in accordance with a mechanism provided for in a scheme contained in regulations made by OFCOM.
OFCOM must exercise their power to make the regulations in a way they consider will secure the operation of the scheme—
in an objective, proportionate and transparent way,
in a way that does not involve, or tend to give rise to, any undue discrimination against particular postal operators (or a particular description of postal operators) or particular users (or a particular description of users), and
in a way that avoids, or (if that is impracticable) minimises, any distortion of competition.
The regulations may provide for— to be administered by OFCOM or some other person specified in the regulations.
the scheme, and
any fund set up for the purposes of the scheme,
A person may be specified only if OFCOM are satisfied as to the person's independence of both—
universal service providers, and
postal operators providing postal services within the scope of the universal postal service.
The regulations may not be made unless—
the Secretary of State has consented to the making of them and
a draft of the statutory instrument containing them has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
This section applies where regulations under section 46 provide for a scheme for the assessment, collection and distribution of contributions.
OFCOM must prepare and publish a report setting out, in relation to the period to which it applies—
every determination by OFCOM that has had effect in relation to a time in that period as a determination of the costs of providing anything required to be provided by a universal service provider to meet its universal service obligations,
the market benefits for each universal service provider that have accrued to the provider during that period from its designation and the application to it of universal service obligations, and
the contribution made by every person who has made a contribution during that period.
The first report under this section must be prepared in relation to the period of 12 months beginning with the coming into force of the first regulations made under section 46.
Subsequent reports must be prepared in relation to the period of 12 months beginning with the end of the period to which the previous report applied.
A report under this section—
must be prepared as soon as practicable after the end of the period to which it is to apply, and
must be published as soon as practicable after its preparation is complete.
OFCOM are not required under this section—
to publish any matter that is confidential, or
to publish anything that it would not be reasonably practicable to publish without disclosing such a matter.
A matter is confidential for this purpose—
if it relates specifically to the affairs of a particular body and publication of the matter would or might, in OFCOM's opinion, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of the body, and
if it relates to the private affairs of an individual and publication of the matter would or might, in OFCOM's opinion, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of the individual.
A report under this section must be published in such manner as OFCOM consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of the persons who, in their opinion, are affected by the matters to which it relates.
The Secretary of State may make regulations requiring persons to notify OFCOM before they carry on business as postal operators.
The Secretary of State must consult OFCOM before making the regulations.
The regulations may make provision corresponding, with such modifications as appear to the Secretary of State to be appropriate, to any of the provisions of sections 33 to 37 of the Communications Act 2003 (requirements to notify before carrying on a regulated activity).
The maximum penalty which may be imposed by the regulations for failure to comply with any of its provisions must not exceed the maximum penalty for the time being specified in section 37(6) of that Act.
OFCOM must establish and maintain a register which records every notification given to them under the regulations.
Information recorded in the register must be recorded in such manner as OFCOM consider appropriate.
OFCOM must publish a notice setting out—
the times at which the register is for the time being available for public inspection, and
the fees that must be paid for, or in connection with, an inspection of the register.
The notice must be published in such manner as OFCOM consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of the persons who, in their opinion, are likely to be affected by it.
OFCOM must make the register available for public inspection— as are set out in the notice for the time being in force under subsection (7).
during such hours, and
on payment of such fees,
Regulations under this section are subject to negative resolution procedure.
OFCOM may impose an essential condition on—
every postal operator, or
every postal operator of a description specified in the condition.
An essential condition is a condition containing such obligations as OFCOM consider necessary to impose for, or in connection with, any one or more of the following purposes—
safeguarding confidentiality in connection with the sending, conveyance and delivery of letters,
safeguarding security where dangerous goods are transported,
safeguarding the confidentiality of information conveyed,
guarding against the theft or loss of or damage to postal packets, and
securing the delivery of postal packets to the intended addressees.
OFCOM may impose a general access condition on a particular postal operator (or operators).
A general access condition is a condition requiring the operator to do either or both of the following—
to give access to other postal operators, or users of postal services, to the operator's postal infrastructure or any service within the scope of the universal postal service which it provides, and
to maintain a separation for accounting purposes between such different matters relating to access of a kind within paragraph (a) (including proposed or potential access of that kind) as OFCOM may direct.
An operator's “postal infrastructure” includes both physical infrastructure (such as letter boxes) and infrastructure in non-physical form (such as information relating to postcodes or addresses or arrangements made with others for the provision of any service).
OFCOM may impose a general access condition only if it appears to them that the condition is necessary for either or both of the following purposes—
protecting the interests of the users of postal services, and
promoting effective competition.
In deciding what obligations to impose in general access conditions in a particular case, OFCOM must (in addition to taking into account anything relevant for the purpose of performing their duty under section 29) take into account, in particular, the following factors—
the technical and economic viability, having regard to the state of market development, of installing and using facilities that would make the proposed access unnecessary,
the feasibility of giving the proposed access,
the investment made by the postal operator in relation to the matters in respect of which access is proposed,
the need to secure effective competition in the long term, and
any rights to intellectual property that are relevant to the proposal.
For the purposes of this section a reference to giving a person access to an operator's postal infrastructure includes giving a person an entitlement to use, be provided with or become a party to any services, facilities or arrangements comprised in the infrastructure.
In Schedule 3—
Part 1 makes provision about the kind of matters that may be included in general access conditions, and
Part 2 makes provision about the resolution of access disputes by OFCOM.
OFCOM may impose a consumer protection condition on—
every postal operator, or
every postal operator of a specified description.
A consumer protection condition is a condition requiring the operator to do one or more of the following—
to assume specified liability in respect of specified loss of or damage to specified postal packets,
to establish and maintain procedures, standards and policies with respect to consumer protection matters,...
to make payments relating to qualifying consumer expenses of ... Citizens Advice ... or the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland ,...
to make payments relating to such amounts as the Secretary of State considers reasonable in respect of the provision, in or as regards Scotland, of consumer advocacy and advice by, or by agreement with, a public body or the holder of a public office, in relation to users of postal services, and
to make payments relating to qualifying consumer expenses of the Secretary of State.
The reference in subsection (2)(b) to consumer protection matters is to—
the handling of complaints made to postal operators by users of their services,
the resolution of disputes between postal operators and users of their services,
the provision of remedies and redress in respect of matters that form the subject-matter of such complaints or disputes,
the information that is to be made available by postal operators to users of their services about service standards and about the rights of those users, and
anything else appearing to OFCOM to be necessary to secure effective protection for those users.
The reference in subsection (2)(c) to qualifying consumer expenses of Citizens Advice... or the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland is to—
such proportion of the expenses of Citizens Advice as the Secretary of State considers reasonable having regard to the functions exercisable by it in relation to users of postal services (including expenses which relate to taking on functions transferred from the National Consumer Council, but not including expenses within paragraph (b)),
such proportion of the expenses of Citizens Advice relating to a transfer scheme made in respect of the National Consumer Council under section 23 of the Public Bodies Act 2011 as the Secretary of State considers reasonable having regard to the functions exercisable by Citizens Advice in relation to users of postal services,
such proportion of the expenses of Citizens Advice incurred in connection with its support of any qualifying public consumer advice scheme as the Secretary of State considers reasonable having regard to the functions under the scheme exercisable in relation to users of postal services,
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such proportion of the expenses of the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland as the Secretary of State considers reasonable having regard to the functions exercisable by it in relation to users of postal services (including expenses which relate to taking on functions transferred from the National Consumer Council).
In imposing a consumer protection condition, OFCOM must (so far as they consider appropriate) secure that—
the procedures for the handling of complaints and the resolution of disputes are easy to use, transparent and effective and otherwise facilitate the settling of disputes fairly and promptly,
users have the right to use those procedures free of charge, and
if a postal operator contravenes a consumer protection condition, the operator follows such procedures as may be required by the condition.
The reference in subsection (2)(d) to qualifying consumer expenses of the Secretary of State is to—
such proportion of the expenses of the Secretary of State relating to the abolition of the National Consumer Council as the Secretary of State considers reasonable having regard to the functions exercised by the National Consumer Council in relation to users of postal services,
such proportion of the expenses of the Secretary of State relating to the conferring of functions on Citizens Advice, Citizens Advice Scotland and the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland by the Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading’s Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/…) as the Secretary of State considers reasonable having regard to the functions exercisable by any of those bodies in relation to users of postal services, and
such proportion of the expenses of the Secretary of State relating to a transfer scheme made in respect of the National Consumer Council under section 23 of the Public Bodies Act 2011 as the Secretary of State considers reasonable having regard to the functions exercised by the National Consumer Council in relation to users of postal services.
The Secretary of State may direct OFCOM to include provision within subsection (2)(c) , (ca) or (d) in consumer protection conditions.
A qualifying public consumer advice scheme is a scheme that is supported by Citizens Advice ... in a manner that the Competition and Markets Authority is prohibited from using by section 8A of the Enterprise Act 2002.
In this section and section 52 any reference, in relation to postal operators, to users of their services is to users of any of the postal services provided by the operators.
In this section —
an unregistered company,
A consumer protection condition may require postal operators to be members of an approved redress scheme.
A “redress scheme” is a scheme under which complaints about postal operators by users of their services may be made to, and investigated and determined by, a person who is independent of postal operators and OFCOM.
A redress scheme is “approved” if it is approved by OFCOM in accordance with Schedule 5.
For the purposes of the law relating to defamation, proceedings under an approved redress scheme are to be treated in the same way as proceedings before a court.
A consumer protection condition may require postal operators—
to provide information to OFCOM with respect to the levels of compliance with the standards for the handling of complaints, and
to publish information about the number of complaints made about them (whether under an approved redress scheme or otherwise) and the way in which the complaints have been dealt with.
Requirements may be contained in the condition as to the times at which, and the manner in which, any information is to be published as a result of subsection (5)(b).
A consumer protection condition imposed on a universal service provider must include a requirement within subsection (5)(b).
Schedule 6 contains general provision about the imposition of regulatory conditions and their modification or revocation.
Schedule 7 makes provision for the enforcement of regulatory requirements imposed by OFCOM in carrying out their functions in relation to postal services.
Schedule 8 makes provision about the provision of information to OFCOM for the purpose of carrying out their functions in relation to postal services or for related purposes.
In that Schedule—
Part 1 makes provision authorising OFCOM to require information to be provided to them,
Part 2 makes provision for the enforcement of those requirements ..., and
Part 3 contains supplementary provision.
Nothing in Schedule 7 to the Postal Services Act 2000 (disclosure of information) prevents the Postal Services Commission from disclosing information to OFCOM for the purposes of OFCOM's functions in relation to postal services.
Information that— must not be disclosed during the lifetime of the individual or so long as the business is carried on, except as provided by this section.
is obtained as a result of this Part, and
relates to the affairs of an individual or to a particular business,
Disclosure is permitted—
with the consent of the individual or the person for the time being carrying on the business,
for the purpose of facilitating the carrying out by OFCOM of any of their functions,
for the purpose of facilitating the carrying out by the Secretary of State, the Treasury or the Competition and Markets Authority of any of their functions under this Act,
for the purpose of facilitating the carrying out by a prescribed body or other person of any functions under a prescribed enactment,
in connection with the investigation of any criminal offence or for the purposes of any criminal proceedings,
for the purposes of any civil proceedings brought as a result of this Part or any prescribed enactment,
in pursuance of an assimilated obligation, or
in any other prescribed circumstances or for any other prescribed purpose.
In subsection (2) “prescribed” means prescribed by an order of the Secretary of State.
An order under subsection (3) is subject to affirmative resolution procedure.
This section does not apply to information that has been made available to the public by being disclosed in circumstances in which, or for a purpose for which, disclosure is not precluded by this section.
This section also does not apply to information that is subject to the disclosure regime in Part 9 of the Enterprise Act 2002 as a result of—
section 393(8) of the Communications Act 2003 (information obtained by OFCOM in exercise of competition functions), or
section 29(3) of the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (information obtained by Citizens Advice etc).
A person who discloses information in contravention of this section commits an offence.
Nothing in this section prevents the disclosure of information under section 24A or 24B of the Communications Act 2003.
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or
on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.
For the purposes of this section a “qualifying decision” means—
a decision to impose or modify a regulatory condition,
a decision to give, modify or withdraw a direction, consent or approval that falls within paragraph 2 of Schedule 6,
a decision to impose a penalty, or give or modify a direction, under any provision of Schedule 4, 7 or 8,
a decision to give or modify a direction under section 89A or 116(2A) of the Postal Services Act 2000 (schemes as to terms and conditions for provision of postal services, and the Postcode Address File), or
a decision to give a direction under section 25(5) of the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (enforcement of requirements to give information to the Citizens Advice etc).
A person affected by a qualifying decision may appeal against it to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (“the CAT”).
The means of making an appeal is by sending the CAT a notice of appeal in accordance with rules made under section 15 of the Enterprise Act 2002.
The notice of appeal must be sent within the period specified, in relation to the decision appealed against, in those rules.
In determining an appeal under this section the CAT must apply the same principles as would be applied by a court on an application for judicial review.
The CAT must either—
dismiss the appeal, or
quash the whole or part of the qualifying decision to which the appeal relates.
If the CAT quashes the whole or part of a qualifying decision, it may refer the matter back to the person who made the decision with a direction to reconsider and make a new decision in accordance with its ruling.
The CAT may not direct the person who made the decision to take any action that the person would not otherwise have the power to take in relation to the decision.
Except in the case of a decision to impose a penalty, or give or modify a direction, under Schedule 4, 7 or 8, the effect of a qualifying decision is not suspended by the making of an appeal against the decision under this section.
An appeal lies to the appropriate court on any point of law arising from a decision of the CAT under section 57.
An appeal under this section may be brought by—
a party to the proceedings before the CAT, or
any other person who has a sufficient interest in the matter.
An appeal under this section requires the permission of the CAT or the appropriate court.
In this section “the appropriate court” means—
in relation to England and Wales and Northern Ireland, the Court of Appeal, and
in relation to Scotland, the Court of Session.
A person affected by a price control decision may appeal against it by sending a notice of appeal to OFCOM within the period of two months beginning with the day on which the decision is published.
The notice of appeal must set out the grounds of appeal in sufficient detail to indicate the error (or errors) which the appellant contends OFCOM made.
OFCOM must refer any appeal made in accordance with this section (and with rules made under section 60) to the Competition and Markets Authority (“the CMA”) as soon as reasonably practicable after it is made.
The making of an appeal against a decision does not suspend the effect of the decision.
The CMA must determine an appeal before the end of— If paragraph (b) applies, the CMA must, before the end of the period mentioned in paragraph (a), publish its reasons for considering that the circumstances of the case are exceptional.
the period of 4 months beginning with the day on which OFCOM refer the appeal to it, or
if the decision appealed against is not an initial price control decision and the CMA considers that the circumstances of the case are exceptional, the period of 6 months beginning with that day.
On determining the appeal, the CMA must—
dismiss the appeal,
allow the appeal and make its own decision on the subject matter of the appeal, or
quash the whole or part of the price control decision to which the appeal relates.
The CMA may allow the appeal, or quash the whole or part of the price control decision to which the appeal relates, only if it considers that OFCOM made a material error.
If the CMA quashes the whole or part of a price control decision, it may refer the matter back to OFCOM with a direction to reconsider and make a new decision in accordance with its ruling.
The CMA may not direct OFCOM to take any action that they would not otherwise have the power to take in relation to the decision.
OFCOM must give effect to any decision of the CMA under subsection (6)(b) as soon as is reasonably practicable after it is made.
The CMA may investigate any matter or do any other thing for the purpose of making a decision under subsection (6)(b) or (c).
Any decision made by the CMA under subsection (6) other than one relating to an initial price control decision is a qualifying decision for the purposes of section 57.
In this section—
The CMA's functions with respect to an appeal under this section are to be carried out on its behalf by a group constituted for the purpose by the chair of the CMA under Schedule 4 to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013
The CMA may make rules about the making, conduct and disposal of appeals under section 59.
The rules may, in particular, impose time limits or other restrictions on—
the taking of evidence at an oral hearing, or
the making of representations or observations at an oral hearing.
The rules may make different provision for different cases.
The CMA must publish the rules in such manner as it considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing them to the attention of those likely to be affected by them.
Before making the rules, the CMA must consult such persons as it considers appropriate.
The Secretary of State may by order—
apply any of sections 109 to 117 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (investigation powers of the CMA), as they had effect immediately before the date on which section 143 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 came into force, with or without modifications, in relation to appeals made under section 59, and
make provision for and in connection with the extension of the period within which appeals must be determined in cases where requirements imposed under section 109 of that Act (as applied) have not been complied with.
An order under subsection (6) applying an enactment under which a criminal or civil penalty could be imposed may not provide for the penalty to be greater than that which could be imposed under the enactment.
An order under subsection (6) is subject to negative resolution procedure.
The Secretary of State may from time to time give guidance about the making by OFCOM, in the carrying out of their functions in relation to postal services, of a contribution towards the attainment of any social or environmental policies set out or referred to in the guidance.
OFCOM must, when carrying out their functions in relation to postal services, have regard to any guidance given under subsection (1).
Before giving any such guidance, the Secretary of State must consult—
OFCOM,
Citizens Advice,
such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
Consumer Scotland,
if the guidance relates to Northern Ireland, the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, and
A draft of any guidance proposed to be given under subsection (1) must be laid before Parliament.
The Secretary of State is not required to consult Citizens Advice or Consumer Scotland if the draft guidance relates only to Northern Ireland.
Guidance may not be given under subsection (1) until after the end of the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft is laid before Parliament.
In calculating that 40 day period, no account is to be taken of any time during which—
Parliament is dissolved or prorogued, or
both Houses of Parliament are adjourned for more than four days.
If, before the end of that 40 day period, either House of Parliament resolves that the guidance should not be given, the Secretary of State must not give it.
The Secretary of State must publish any guidance given under subsection (1) in such way as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
The Secretary of State may give a direction to a universal service provider requiring the provider to do either or both of the following—
to issue United Kingdom postage stamps bearing the image of Her Majesty (“relevant stamps”) in cases specified in the direction, and
to comply with provision specified in the direction in relation to any relevant stamps that the provider is required or proposes to issue.
A direction under subsection (1)(b) must include provision for relevant stamps not to be issued without the approval of Her Majesty.
The provision that may be contained in a direction under subsection (1)(b) includes—
provision in relation to the design or subject-matter of relevant stamps (including the frequency of designs in any period specified in the direction), and
provision conferring functions on persons (or a committee of persons).
A person to whom a direction has been given has a duty to comply with it.
That duty is enforceable in civil proceedings by the Secretary of State—
for an injunction,
for specific performance of a statutory duty under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988, or
for any other appropriate remedy or relief.
Section 403 of the Communications Act 2003 (regulations and orders made by OFCOM) applies to any power of OFCOM under this Part to make an order, a scheme or regulations.
The Postal Services Commission is abolished.
In section 30 of, and Schedule 2 to, the Communications Act 2003 (transfers of property etc from pre-commencement regulators), each reference to a pre-commencement regulator includes the Postal Services Commission.
The following provisions apply in relation to a transfer scheme made by virtue of subsection (2).
The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 apply to a transfer, by virtue of a transfer scheme, of rights and liabilities under a contract of employment (whether or not the transfer would otherwise be a relevant transfer for the purposes of those regulations).
Where an employee of the Postal Services Commission becomes an employee of OFCOM by virtue of a transfer scheme—
a period of employment with that Commission is to be treated as a period of employment with OFCOM, and
the transfer to OFCOM is not to be treated as a break in service.
The transfer of functions, property, rights or liabilities from the Postal Services Commission to OFCOM under or by virtue of this Act is not to be treated as a merger for accounting purposes.
In this Part—
“enactment” includes an enactment whenever passed or made,
An application for approval of a redress scheme must be made in such manner, and be accompanied by such information, as OFCOM may determine. The person who administers an approved redress scheme must notify OFCOM of any change to the scheme. That notification must be given before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the change is made. OFCOM may withdraw their approval of a redress scheme, and may do so generally or in relation to complaints of a description specified by OFCOM. OFCOM may, in particular, specify complaints by reference to the date on which they were made.
The power of OFCOM to impose a regulatory condition includes each of the following powers. Directions The power to impose a requirement to comply with directions given by OFCOM, or by another person specified in the condition, with respect to the matters to which the condition relates. Consents, approvals and recommendations The power to impose an obligation with respect to those matters framed by reference to, or conditional on, the consent, approval or recommendation of OFCOM or of another person specified in the condition. Discretion The power to confer a discretion exercisable by OFCOM or by another person specified in, or determined in accordance with, the condition. Different provision for different cases The power to impose different conditions for different cases (including different conditions in relation to different parts of the United Kingdom). Revocation and modification The power to revoke or modify the condition. The directions that are authorised as a result of this paragraph do not include directions withdrawing, suspending or restricting a person’s entitlement to provide (in whole or in part) postal services.
The relevant person must send to the Secretary of State— The relevant person must send to the European Commission— In this paragraph “the relevant person”, in relation to a notification, direction, approval or consent—
The Secretary of State may modify a postal transfer scheme before approving it. After a postal transfer scheme has taken effect— The only modifications that may be made by the Secretary of State under this paragraph are ones— In connection with giving effect to modifications under sub-paragraph (2), the Secretary of State may make incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision (and different provision may be made for different cases or circumstances). In deciding whether to approve or modify a postal transfer scheme, the Secretary of State must have regard to— Before approving or modifying a postal transfer scheme, the Secretary of State must consult OFCOM. The old company and the new company (or companies) each have a duty to provide the Secretary of State with any information or other assistance that the Secretary of State may reasonably require for the purposes of, or in connection with, the exercise of any power under this paragraph. That duty overrides a contractual or other requirement to keep information in confidence. That duty is enforceable in civil proceedings by the Secretary of State—
A postal transfer scheme may contain provision— A postal transfer scheme may contain provision for the creation of rights and liabilities for the purpose of converting arrangements between different parts of the old company’s undertaking into a contract— A postal transfer scheme may contain provision— A postal transfer scheme may contain provision for interests, rights or liabilities of third parties in relation to anything to which the scheme relates to be modified in the manner set out in the scheme. The reference here to third parties is to persons other than the old company and a new company. Paragraph 6(2)(c) and (3) apply to the creation of interests and rights as they apply to the transfer of interests and rights.
At the time at which a postal transfer scheme takes effect— are, as a result of this paragraph, to vest in the appropriate person. For this purpose “the appropriate person” means—
A certificate issued by the Secretary of State to the effect that any property, interest, right or liability vested (in accordance with a postal transfer scheme) in a person specified in the certificate at a time so specified is conclusive evidence of the matters so specified.
This paragraph applies if there are two or more postal transfer schemes making transfers to new companies. Paragraph 7 has effect as if— Accordingly, in relation to anything done by a postal transfer scheme as a result of this paragraph, any reference to a new company in paragraphs 13 to 16 includes a company that is a new company for the purposes of another postal transfer scheme.
“deferred member” has the meaning given by section 124(1) of the Pensions Act 1995,
means any communication in written form on any kind of physical medium to be conveyed to the person or address indicated on the item itself or on its wrapping (excluding any book, catalogue, newspaper or periodical), and
In section 7 of the Improvement of Land Act 1864 (services of notices on other persons), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In section 196(4) of the Law of Property Act 1925 (regulations respecting notices), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In section 89 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act 1957 (Crown rights)—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”,
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”, and
This section applies to a universal service provider only if the provider is a company and at least half of its issued share capital is owned by the Crown (within the meaning of Part 1 of the Postal Services Act 2011).
In section 7(1) of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 (interpretation), in the definition of “universal service provider”—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
In section 80(1) of the New Towns Act 1981 (general interpretation provisions), in the definition of “universal postal service provider”—
for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”, and
for “that Act” substitute “that Part”.
The Representation of the People Act 1983 is amended as follows.
The Insolvency Act 1986 is amended as follows.
In paragraph 11(9) of Schedule 14 to the Legal Services Act 2007 (mail and other forms of communication), for “section 125(1) of the Postal Services Act 2000 (c. 26)” substitute “section 27 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In section 91(candidate’s right to send election address post free)—
in subsections (1) to (3), in each place, for “universal service provider” substitute “universal postal service provider”, and
omit subsection (5).
In section 371(1) (re-direction of bankrupt’s letters etc), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In section 184(2) (service of notices), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”
In paragraph 10(1) of Schedule 2A (exceptions to prohibition on appointment of administrative receiver: supplementary provisions)—
in paragraph (g), for “given by section 4(3) and (4) of the Postal Services Act 2000 (c. 26)” substitute “of Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”,
for paragraph (h) substitute—, and
omit paragraph (i).
In section 200A (remuneration for free postal services provided under Act)—
in subsections (1) to (3), for “universal service provider” substitute “universal postal service provider”, and
for subsection (4) substitute—
In section 202(1) (interpretation), in the definition of “universal postal service provider”, for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In paragraph 51(3) of Schedule 1 (return to the writ), for “the Postal Services Act 2000” substitute “Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011”.
In this Part—
references to the provision of a universal postal service are to be read in accordance with sections 30 to 33, and
references to the provision of a service within the scope of the universal postal service are to be read in accordance with section 40.
In the case of a universal service provider who— references in this Part to the provision of a universal postal service are to the provision of that part or to the provision of a universal postal service, or part of a universal postal service, in that area.
provides part of a universal postal service, or
provides a universal postal service, or part of a universal postal service, in a specified area of the United Kingdom,
For the purposes of this Part—
“contravention” includes a failure to comply (and related expressions are to be read accordingly),
where there is a contravention of an obligation that requires a person to do anything within a particular period or before a particular time, the contravention is to be taken to continue after the end of that period, or after that time, until that thing is done,
references to remedying the consequences of a contravention include paying an amount to a person—
by way of compensation for loss or damage suffered by the person, or
in respect of annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety to which the person has been put, and
in determining whether a contravention is a repeated contravention for any purposes, a notification of a contravention under any provision is to be ignored if it has been withdrawn before the imposition of a penalty in respect of the matters notified.
Any direction given by the Secretary of State under any provision of this Part—
must be in writing, and
may be varied or revoked by a further direction.
Nothing in any provision of this Part that authorises the inclusion of any particular kind of provision in any regulatory condition or direction is to be read as restricting the generality of the provision that may be included in the condition or direction.
Any power under this Part to provide for the manner in which anything is to be done includes power to provide for the form in which it is to be done.
Any reference in this Part to OFCOM's functions under an enactment includes their power to do anything which appears to them to be incidental or conducive to the carrying out of their functions under that enactment.
Schedule 9 makes transitional provision in connection with the coming into force of this Part and provides for OFCOM to carry out certain functions before the provisions of this Part come into force generally.
As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the review period, the Secretary of State must—
carry out a review of the provisions of this Part, and
set out the conclusions of the review in a report.
The report must, in particular—
set out the objectives intended to be achieved by the regulatory system established by those provisions,
assess the extent to which those objectives have been achieved, and
assess whether those objectives remain appropriate and, if so, the extent to which they could be achieved with a system that imposed less regulation.
The review period is the period of 5 years beginning with the day on which the provisions of this Part come generally into force.
The Secretary of State must lay the report before Parliament.
In this Part “postal administration order” means an order which—
is made by the court in relation to a company which is a universal service provider, and
directs that, while the order is in force, the company's affairs, business and property are to be managed by a person appointed by the court.
The person appointed in relation to a company for the purposes of a postal administration order is referred to in this Part as the postal administrator of the company.
The postal administrator of a company must— so as to achieve the objective set out in section 69.
manage the company's affairs, business and property, and
exercise and perform all the powers and duties conferred or imposed on the postal administrator of the company,
In relation to a postal administration order applying to a foreign company, references in this section to the company's affairs, business and property are references to its UK affairs, business and property.
The objective of a postal administration is to secure—
that a universal postal service is provided in accordance with the standards set out in the universal postal service order, and
that it becomes unnecessary, by one or both of the following means, for the postal administration order to remain in force for that purpose.
Those means are—
the rescue as a going concern of the company subject to the order, and
relevant transfers.
A transfer is a “relevant” transfer if it is a transfer as a going concern— of so much of that undertaking as it is appropriate to transfer for the purpose of achieving the objective of the postal administration.
to another company, or
as respects different parts of the undertaking of the company subject to the order, to two or more different companies,
The means by which relevant transfers may be effected include, in particular— In this subsection “wholly-owned subsidiary” has the meaning given by section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006.
a transfer of the undertaking of the company subject to the order, or of a part of its undertaking, to a wholly-owned subsidiary of that company, and
a transfer to a company of securities of a wholly-owned subsidiary to which there has been a transfer within paragraph (a).
The objective of a postal administration may be achieved by relevant transfers to the extent only that—
the rescue as a going concern of the company is not reasonably practicable or is not reasonably practicable without the transfers,
the rescue of the company as a going concern will not achieve the objective of the postal administration or will not do so without the transfers,
the transfers would produce a result for the company's creditors as a whole that is better than the result that would be produced without them, or
the transfers would, without prejudicing the interests of the company's creditors as a whole, produce a result for the company's members as a whole that is better than the result that would be produced without them.
An application for a postal administration order in relation to a company may be made only—
by the Secretary of State, or
with the consent of the Secretary of State, by OFCOM.
The applicant for a postal administration order in relation to a company must give notice of the application to—
every person who has appointed an administrative receiver of the company,
every person who is or may be entitled to appoint an administrative receiver of the company,
every person who is or may be entitled to make an appointment in relation to the company under paragraph 14 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act (appointment of administrators by holders of floating charges), and
such other persons as may be prescribed by postal administration rules.
The notice must be given as soon as reasonably practicable after the making of the application.
In this section “administrative receiver” means—
an administrative receiver within the meaning given by section 251 of the 1986 Act for the purposes of Parts 1 to 7 of that Act, or
a person whose functions in relation to a foreign company are equivalent to those of an administrative receiver and relate only to its UK affairs, business and property.
On hearing an application for a postal administration order, the court has the following powers—
it may make the order,
it may dismiss the application,
it may adjourn the hearing conditionally or unconditionally,
it may make an interim order,
it may treat the application as a winding-up petition and make any order the court could make under section 125 of the 1986 Act (power of court on hearing winding-up petition), and
it may make any other order which it thinks appropriate.
The court may make a postal administration order in relation to a company only if it is satisfied—
that the company is unable, or is likely to be unable, to pay its debts, or
that, on a petition by the Secretary of State under section 124A of the 1986 Act, it would be just and equitable (disregarding the objective of the postal administration) to wind up the company in the public interest.
The court may not make a postal administration order on the ground set out in subsection (2)(b) unless the Secretary of State has certified to the court that the case is one in which the Secretary of State considers (disregarding the objective of the postal administration) that it would be appropriate to petition under section 124A of the 1986 Act.
The court has no power to make a postal administration order in relation to a company which—
is in administration under Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act, or
has gone into liquidation (within the meaning of section 247(2) of the 1986 Act).
A postal administration order comes into force—
at the time appointed by the court, or
if no time is appointed by the court, when the order is made.
An interim order under subsection (1)(d) may, in particular—
restrict the exercise of a power of the company or of its directors, or
make provision conferring a discretion on a person qualified to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to the company.
In the case of a foreign company, subsection (6)(a) is to be read as a reference to restricting the exercise of a power of the company or of its directors—
within the United Kingdom, or
in relation to the company's UK affairs, business or property.
For the purposes of this section a company is unable to pay its debts if—
it is a company which is deemed to be unable to pay its debts under section 123 of the 1986 Act, or
it is an unregistered company which is deemed, as a result of any of sections 222 to 224 of the 1986 Act, to be so unable for the purposes of section 221 of the 1986 Act, or which would be so deemed if it were an unregistered company for the purposes of those sections.
The postal administrator of a company—
is an officer of the court, and
in exercising and performing powers and duties in relation to the company, is the company's agent.
The management by the postal administrator of a company of any of its affairs, business or property must be carried out for the purpose of achieving the objective of the postal administration as quickly and as efficiently as is reasonably practicable.
The postal administrator of a company must exercise and perform powers and duties in the way which, so far as it is consistent with the objective of the postal administration to do so, best protects—
the interests of the company's creditors as a whole, and
subject to those interests, the interests of the company's members as a whole.
A person is not to be the postal administrator of a company unless qualified to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to the company.
If the court appoints two or more persons as the postal administrator of a company, the appointment must set out—
which (if any) of the powers and duties of a postal administrator are to be exercisable or performed only by the appointees acting jointly,
the circumstances (if any) in which powers and duties of a postal administrator are to be exercisable, or may be performed, by one of the appointees, or by particular appointees, acting alone, and
the circumstances (if any) in which things done in relation to one of the appointees, or in relation to particular appointees, are to be treated as done in relation to all of them.
Schedule 10 contains provision applying the provisions of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act, and certain other enactments, to postal administration orders.
Schedule 11 contains provision for transfer schemes to achieve the objective of a postal administration.
The power to make rules under section 411 of the 1986 Act is to apply for the purpose of giving effect to this Part as it applies for the purpose of giving effect to Parts 1 to 7 of that Act (and, accordingly, as if references in that section to those Parts included references to this Part).
Section 413(2) of the 1986 Act (duty to consult Insolvency Rules Committee about rules) is not to apply to rules made under section 411 of the 1986 Act as a result of this section.
This section applies if a person other than the Secretary of State petitions for the winding-up of a company which is a universal service provider.
The court is not to exercise its powers on a winding-up petition unless—
notice of the petition has been served on the Secretary of State and OFCOM, and
a period of at least 14 days has elapsed since the service of the last of those notices to be served.
If an application for a postal administration order in relation to the company is made to the court in accordance with section 70(1) before a winding-up order is made on the petition, the court may exercise its powers under section 71 (instead of exercising its powers on the petition).
References in this section to the court's powers on a winding-up petition are to—
its powers under section 125 of the 1986 Act (other than its power of adjournment), and
its powers under section 135 of the 1986 Act.
A company which is a universal service provider has no power to pass a resolution for voluntary winding up without the permission of the court.
Permission may be granted by the court only on an application made by the company.
The court is not to grant permission unless—
notice of the application has been served on the Secretary of State and OFCOM, and
a period of at least 14 days has elapsed since the service of the last of those notices to be served.
If an application for a postal administration order in relation to the company is made to the court in accordance with section 70(1) after an application for permission under this section has been made and before it is granted, the court may exercise its powers under section 71 (instead of granting permission).
In this section “a resolution for voluntary winding up” has the same meaning as in the 1986 Act.
This section applies if a person other than the Secretary of State makes an ordinary administration application in relation to a company which is a universal service provider.
The court must dismiss the application if—
a postal administration order is in force in relation to the company, or
a postal administration order has been made in relation to the company but is not yet in force.
If subsection (2) does not apply, the court, on hearing the application, must not exercise its powers under paragraph 13 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act (other than its power of adjournment) unless—
notice of the application has been served on the Secretary of State and OFCOM,
a period of at least 14 days has elapsed since the service of the last of those notices to be served, and
there is no application for a postal administration order which is outstanding.
Paragraph 44 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act (interim moratorium) does not prevent, or require the permission of the court for, the making of an application for a postal administration order.
On the making of a postal administration order in relation to a company, the court must dismiss any ordinary administration application made in relation to the company which is outstanding.
In this section “ordinary administration application” means an application in accordance with paragraph 12 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act.
Subsections (2) to (4) make provision about appointments under paragraph 14 or 22 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act (powers to appoint administrators) in relation to a company which is a universal service provider.
If in any case— a person may not take any step to make an appointment.
a postal administration order is in force in relation to the company,
a postal administration order has been made in relation to the company but is not yet in force, or
an application for a postal administration order in relation to the company is outstanding,
In any other case, an appointment takes effect only if each of the following conditions are met.
The conditions are—
that a copy of every document in relation to the appointment that is filed or lodged with the court in accordance with paragraph 18 or 29 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act has been served on the Secretary of State and OFCOM,
that a period of 14 days has elapsed since the service of the last of those copies to be served,
that there is no outstanding application to the court for a postal administration order in relation to the company, and
that the making of an application for a postal administration order in relation to the company has not resulted in the making of a postal administration order which is in force or is still to come into force.
Paragraph 44 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act (interim moratorium) does not prevent, or require the permission of the court for, the making of an application for a postal administration order at any time before the appointment takes effect.
A person may not take any step to enforce a security over property of a company which is a universal service provider unless—
notice of the intention to do so has been served on the Secretary of State and OFCOM, and
a period of at least 14 days has elapsed since the service of the last of those notices to be served.
In the case of a foreign company which is a universal service provider, the reference to the property of the company is to its property in the United Kingdom.
This section applies if a postal administration order has been made in relation to a company.
The Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, make grants or loans to the company of such amounts as it appears to the Secretary of State appropriate for achieving the objective of the postal administration.
The grants or loans may be made in whatever manner, and on whatever terms, the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
The terms on which the grants may be made include, in particular, terms requiring the whole or a part of the grants to be repaid to the Secretary of State if there is a contravention of the other terms on which they are made.
The terms on which loans may be made include, in particular, terms requiring—
the loans to be repaid at such times and by such methods as the Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, from time to time direct, and
interest to be paid on the loans at such rates and at such times as the Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, from time to time direct.
The Secretary of State must pay sums received as a result of this section into the Consolidated Fund.
This section applies if a postal administration order has been made in relation to a company.
The Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, agree to indemnify persons in respect of one or both of the following—
liabilities incurred in connection with the exercise and performance of powers and duties by the postal administrator, and
loss or damage sustained in that connection.
The agreement may be made in whatever manner, and on whatever terms, the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
As soon as practicable after agreeing to indemnify persons under this section, the Secretary of State must lay a statement of the agreement before Parliament.
If sums are paid by the Secretary of State in consequence of an indemnity agreed to under this section, the company must pay the Secretary of State—
such amounts in or towards the repayment to the Secretary of State of those sums as the Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, direct, and
interest on amounts outstanding under this subsection at such rates as the Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, direct.
The payments must be made by the company at such times and in such manner as the Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, determine.
Subsection (5) does not apply in the case of a sum paid by the Secretary of State for indemnifying a person in respect of a liability to the company.
If a sum has been paid out in consequence of an indemnity agreed to under this section, the Secretary of State must lay a statement relating to that sum before Parliament—
as soon as practicable after the end of the financial year in which the sum is paid out, and
if subsection (5) applies to the sum, as soon as practicable after the end of each subsequent financial year in relation to which the repayment condition has not been met.
The repayment condition is met in relation to a financial year if—
the whole of the sum has been repaid to the Secretary of State before the beginning of the year, and
the company was not at any time during the year liable to pay interest on amounts that became due in respect of the sum.
The power of the Secretary of State to agree to indemnify persons—
is confined to a power to agree to indemnify persons in respect of liabilities, loss and damage incurred or sustained by them as relevant persons, but
includes power to agree to indemnify persons (whether or not they are identified or identifiable at the time of the agreement) who subsequently become relevant persons.
The following are relevant persons for the purposes of this section—
the postal administrator,
an employee of the postal administrator,
a partner or employee of a firm of which the postal administrator is a partner,
a partner or employee of a firm of which the postal administrator is an employee,
a partner of a firm of which the postal administrator was an employee or partner at a time when the order was in force,
a body corporate which is the employer of the postal administrator,
an officer, employee or member of such a body corporate, and
a Scottish firm which is the employer of the postal administrator or of which the postal administrator is a partner.
For the purposes of subsection (11)—
references to the postal administrator are to be read, where two or more persons are appointed as the postal administrator, as references to any one or more of them, and
references to a firm of which a person was a partner or employee at a particular time include a firm which holds itself out to be the successor of a firm of which the person was a partner or employee at that time.
The Secretary of State must pay sums received as a result of subsection (5) into the Consolidated Fund.
This section applies if a postal administration order has been made in relation to a company.
The Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, guarantee—
the repayment of any sum borrowed by the company while that order is in force,
the payment of interest on any sum borrowed by the company while that order is in force, and
the discharge of any other financial obligation of the company in connection with the borrowing of any sum while that order is in force.
The Secretary of State may give the guarantees in such manner, and on such terms, as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
As soon as practicable after giving a guarantee under this section, the Secretary of State must lay a statement of the guarantee before Parliament.
If sums are paid out by the Secretary of State under a guarantee given under this section, the company must pay the Secretary of State—
such amounts in or towards the repayment to the Secretary of State of those sums as the Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, direct, and
interest on amounts outstanding under this subsection at such rates as the Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, direct.
The payments must be made by the company at such times, and in such manner, as the Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, from time to time direct.
If a sum has been paid out under a guarantee given under this section, the Secretary of State must lay a statement relating to that sum before Parliament—
as soon as practicable after the end of the financial year in which the sum is paid out, and
as soon as practicable after the end of each subsequent financial year in relation to which the repayment condition has not been met.
The repayment condition is met in relation to a financial year if—
the whole of the sum has been repaid to the Secretary of State before the beginning of the year, and
the company was not at any time during the year liable to pay interest on amounts that became due in respect of the sum.
The Secretary of State must pay sums received as a result of subsection (5) into the Consolidated Fund.
In this section “financial year” means a period of 12 months ending with 31 March.
This section applies if a postal administration order has been made.
The Secretary of State may by order modify the universal postal service order made by OFCOM under section 30. An order under this subsection is subject to negative resolution procedure.
Before modifying that order, the Secretary of State must consult—
OFCOM, and
such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Secretary of State may by order amend section 31.
An order under subsection (5)—
is subject to approval after being made, and
may include such amendments of Part 3 as the Secretary of State considers necessary or expedient in consequence of any provision made by the order.
The Secretary of State may modify or revoke any regulatory condition if the Secretary of State considers it appropriate to do so for, or in connection with, achieving the objective of the postal administration.
The Secretary of State's power to make modifications includes power to make incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional or transitory modifications.
Before modifying or revoking a regulatory condition, the Secretary of State must consult—
OFCOM,
the person whose condition is being modified or revoked, and
such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
The Secretary of State must publish every modification or revocation of a regulatory condition made under this section.
The publication must be in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
The provisions of Part 3 (including section 29) other than— apply in relation to the modification or revocation by the Secretary of State of regulatory conditions as they apply in relation to the modification or revocation by OFCOM of regulatory conditions.
sections 57 to 60 (appeals), and
paragraph 3 of Schedule 6 (procedure for modifying or revoking regulatory conditions),
The power conferred by subsection (2) or (5) may not be exercised at any time after the postal administration order has ceased to be in force.
Any duty to consult under this section may be met by consultation before the making of the postal administration order.
The modifications that may be made under section 82 include, in particular, modifications of any price control provision contained in a regulatory condition for the purpose of raising such amounts as may be determined by the Secretary of State.
The modified condition may require the person on whom it is imposed to pay those amounts to such persons as may be so determined for the purpose of—
their applying those amounts in making good any shortfall in the property available for meeting the expenses of the postal administration, or
enabling those persons to secure that those amounts are so applied.
The modified condition may require the person on whom it is imposed to apply amounts paid to it as result of this section in making good any shortfall in the property available for meeting the expenses of the postal administration.
For the purposes of this section “price control provision” means—
provision as to the tariffs that are to be used as mentioned in section 36(4) (designated USP condition: tariffs), or
provision as to prices that may be charged for the giving of access under an access condition (within the meaning of Part 3).
For the purposes of this section—
there is a shortfall in the property available for meeting the costs of a postal administration if the property available (apart from this section) for meeting relevant debts is insufficient for meeting them, and
amounts are applied in making good that shortfall if they are paid in or towards discharging so much of a relevant debt as cannot be met out of the property otherwise available for meeting relevant debts.
In this section “relevant debt”, in relation to a case in which a company is or has been subject to a postal administration order, means an obligation—
to make payments in respect of the expenses or remuneration of any person as the postal administrator of the company,
to make a payment in discharge of a debt or other liability of the company arising out of a contract entered into at a time when the order was in force by the person who at that time was the postal administrator of the company,
to repay the whole or a part of a grant made to the company under section 79,
to repay a loan made to the company under section 79 or to pay interest on such a loan,
to make a payment under section 80(5), or
to make a payment under section 81(5).
The power to modify or apply enactments conferred on the Secretary of State by— includes power to make such consequential modifications of this Part as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in connection with any other provision made under any of those sections.
sections 248 and 277 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (amendments consequential on that Act), and
section 254 of that Act (power to apply insolvency law to foreign companies),
In this Part—
“postal administrator” has the meaning given by section 68(2) and is to be read in accordance with subsection (3) below,
For the purposes of paragraph 1 OFCOM’s postal services functions are— In sub-paragraph (1)(d) “a relevant purpose” means the purpose of ascertaining the effectiveness of one or more of the following— In sub-paragraph (1)(f) the reference to incidental functions carried out in relation to any of the functions within sub-paragraph (1)(a) to (e) includes the taking of any steps that OFCOM consider necessary— In sub-paragraph (3) the reference to the taking of any steps includes the taking of any steps before the commencement of this Schedule.
OFCOM may give a direction under this paragraph to any postal operator who is providing one or more postal services (“the contravening operator”). A direction under this paragraph is a direction that the entitlement of the contravening operator to provide postal services— OFCOM may give a direction under this paragraph only if they are satisfied that conditions A to D are met. Condition A is that the contravening operator is or has been in serious and repeated contravention of requirements to pay administrative charges fixed under paragraph 1 (whether in respect of the whole or a part of the charges). Condition B is that the bringing of proceedings for the recovery of the amounts outstanding— Condition C is that an attempt, by the imposition of penalties under paragraph 6, to secure such compliance has failed. Condition D is that the giving of the direction is—
OFCOM must prepare and publish a statement of their general policy with respect to— OFCOM may from time to time revise the statement. Where OFCOM make or revise a statement under this paragraph, they must publish the statement in such manner as they consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of the persons who, in their opinion, are likely to be affected by it. In exercising the powers conferred by this Schedule, OFCOM must have regard to the statement for the time being in force under this paragraph.
This paragraph applies in relation to the first charging year under Schedule 4 (recovery of administrative charges incurred by OFCOM). OFCOM must prepare a statement of the principles that they are proposing to apply in fixing administrative charges under paragraph 1 of that Schedule for that year (and the charges must be fixed in accordance with those principles), but there is no requirement for the statement to be in force at the beginning of that year or at the time the charges are fixed. Sub-paragraph (2) has effect instead of paragraph 1(2) of that Schedule. Paragraph 3(5) of that Schedule has effect as if the reference to the statement of charging principles in force at the beginning of the charging year were a reference to the statement of charging principles relating to the charging year.
Paragraph 1 (administration) is to have effect as if—
In this Schedule “postal administrator”, in relation to a company, means a person appointed by the court for the purposes of a postal administration order to manage its affairs, business and property.
in sub-paragraph (2), for “Act” there were substituted “Schedule”.
Unless it provides otherwise, a direction under paragraph 7 takes effect for an indefinite period beginning with the time at which it is notified to the person to whom it is given. A direction under paragraph 7— Those conditions may include a condition requiring the making of payments— OFCOM are not to give a direction under paragraph 7 unless they have— That period must be at least one month beginning with the day after the day the notification is given. OFCOM may revoke a direction under paragraph 7 or modify its conditions— For the purposes of paragraph 7 there are repeated contraventions by a person of requirements to pay administrative charges to the extent that—
Paragraph 40 (dismissal of pending winding-up petition) is to have effect as if sub-paragraphs (1)(b), (2) and (3) were omitted.
Paragraph 42 (moratorium on insolvency proceedings) is to have effect as if sub-paragraphs (4) and (5) were omitted.
Paragraph 44 (interim moratorium) is to have effect as if sub-paragraphs (2) to (4), (6) and (7)(a) to (c) were omitted.
Paragraph 46(6) (date for notifying administrator’s appointment) is to have effect as if for paragraphs (a) to (c) there were substituted “the date on which the postal administration order comes into force”.
Paragraph 49 (administrator’s proposals) is to have effect as if—
in sub-paragraph (2)(b) for “objective mentioned in paragraph 3(1)(a) or (b) cannot be achieved” there were substituted “objective of the postal administration should be achieved by means other than just a rescue of the company as a going concern”, and
in sub-paragraph (4), after paragraph (a) there were inserted—.
Paragraph 54 is to have effect as if the following were substituted for it—
The postal administrator of a company has the power to act on behalf of the company for the purposes of any enactment which confers a power on the company or imposes a duty on it. In sub-paragraph (2) “enactment” has the same meaning as in the Postal Services Act 2011 (see section 90).
Paragraph 68 (management duties of an administrator) is to have effect as if—
the proposals as— for achieving the objective of the postal administration.
in sub-paragraph (3), for paragraphs (a) to (d) there were substituted “the directions are consistent with the achievement of the objective of the postal administration”.
Paragraph 71(3)(b) (charged property: non-floating charge) is to have effect as if for “market” there were substituted “the appropriate”.
Paragraph 72(3)(b) (hire-purchase property) is to have effect as if for “market” there were substituted “the appropriate”.
Paragraph 73(3) (protection for secured or preferential creditor) is to have effect as if for “or modified” there were substituted “under paragraph 54”.
Paragraph 74 (challenge to administrator’s conduct) is to have effect as if—
If a company is in postal administration, a person mentioned in sub-paragraph (2A) may apply to the court claiming that the postal administrator is acting in a manner preventing the achievement of the objective of the postal administration as quickly and efficiently as is reasonably practicable. The persons who may apply to the court are—
in sub-paragraph (6)—
at the end of paragraph (b) there were inserted “or”, and
paragraph (c) (and the “or” before it) were omitted, and
In the case of a claim made otherwise than by the Secretary of State or OFCOM, the court may grant a remedy or relief or make an order under this paragraph only if it has given the Secretary of State or OFCOM a reasonable opportunity of making representations about the claim and the proposed remedy, relief or order. The court may grant a remedy or relief or make an order on an application under this paragraph only if it is satisfied, in relation to the matters that are the subject of the application, that the postal administrator— in a way that is inconsistent with the achievement of the objective of the postal administration as quickly and as efficiently as is reasonably practicable. Before the making of an order of the kind mentioned in sub-paragraph (4)(d)— and that period must be a reasonable period. In the case of a claim under sub-paragraph (1)(a), the steps referred to in sub-paragraph (9) are— In the case of a claim under sub-paragraph (1)(b), the steps referred to in sub-paragraph (9) are steps for ensuring that the interests to which the claim relates are not unfairly harmed. In the case of a claim under sub-paragraph (2), the steps referred to in sub-paragraph (9) are—
Paragraph 75(2) (misfeasance) is to have effect as if after paragraph (b) there were inserted—.
Paragraph 79 (end of administration) is to have effect as if—
On an application made by a person mentioned in sub-paragraph (2), the court may provide for the appointment of a postal administrator of a company to cease to have effect from a specified time. An application may be made to the court under this paragraph—
sub-paragraph (3) were omitted.
Paragraph 83(3) (notice to registrar when moving to voluntary liquidation) is to have effect as if after “may” there were inserted “, with the consent of the Secretary of State or of OFCOM,”.
Paragraph 84 (notice to registrar when moving to dissolution) is to have effect as if—
Paragraph 87(2) (resignation of administrator) is to have effect as if for paragraphs (a) to (d) there were substituted “by notice in writing to the court”.
Paragraph 89(2) (administrator ceasing to be qualified) is to have effect as if for paragraphs (a) to (d) there were substituted “to the court”.
Paragraph 90 (filling vacancy in office of administrator) is to have effect as if for “Paragraphs 91 to 95 apply” there were substituted “Paragraph 91 applies”.
Paragraph 91 (vacancies in court appointments) is to have effect as if—
The court may replace the postal administrator on an application made—
sub-paragraph (2) were omitted.
Paragraph 98 (discharge from liability on vacation of office) is to have effect as if sub-paragraphs (2)(b) and (3) were omitted.
Paragraph 99 (charges and liabilities upon vacation of office by administrator) is to have effect as if—
in sub-paragraph (4), for the words from the beginning to “cessation”, in the first place, there were substituted “A sum falling within sub-paragraph (4A)”,
A sum falls within this sub-paragraph if it is—
in sub-paragraph (5), for “(4)” there were substituted “(4A)(a)”.
Paragraph 100 (joint and concurrent administrators) is to have effect as if sub-paragraph (2) were omitted.
Paragraph 101(3) (joint administrators) is to have effect as if after “87 to” there were inserted “91, 98 and”.
Paragraph 103 (appointment of additional administrators) is to have effect as if—
in sub-paragraph (2) the words from the beginning to “order” were omitted and for paragraph (a) there were substituted—,
The consent of the Secretary of State is required for an application by OFCOM for the purposes of sub-paragraph (2).
sub-paragraphs (3) to (5) were omitted.
Paragraph 106(2) (penalties) is to have effect as if paragraphs (a), (b), (f), (g), (i) and (l) to (n) were omitted.
Paragraph 109 (references to extended periods) is to have effect as if “or 108” were omitted.
Paragraph 111 (interpretation) is to have effect as if—
in sub-paragraph (1), the definitions of “correspondence”, “holder of a qualifying floating charge”, “market value”, “the purpose of administration” and “unable to pay its debts” were omitted,
in that sub-paragraph, after the definition of “administrator” (as modified as a result of paragraph 2 above) there were inserted—,
in that sub-paragraph, before the definition of “creditors’ meeting” there were inserted—,
in that sub-paragraph, after the definition of “hire purchase agreement” there were inserted—,
sub-paragraphs (1A) and (1B) were omitted, and
For the purposes of this Schedule a reference to a postal administration order includes a reference to an appointment under paragraph 91 or 103.
Any expression which is used in this Part and in Part 3 has the same meaning in this Part as in that Part.
In this Part references to the postal administrator of a company—
include a person appointed under paragraph 91 or 103 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act, as applied by Part 1 of Schedule 10 to this Act, to be the postal administrator of the company, and
if two or more persons are appointed as the postal administrator of the company, are to be read in accordance with the provision made under section 72(5).
References in this Part to a person qualified to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to a company are to be read in accordance with Part 13 of the 1986 Act, but as if references in that Part to a company included a company registered under the Companies Act 2006 in Northern Ireland.
For the purposes of this Part an application made to the court is outstanding if it—
has not yet been granted or dismissed, and
has not been withdrawn.
An application is not to be taken as having been dismissed if an appeal against the dismissal of the application, or a subsequent appeal, is pending.
An appeal is to be treated as pending for this purpose if—
an appeal has been brought and has not been determined or withdrawn,
an application for permission to appeal has been made but has not been determined or withdrawn, or
no appeal has been brought and the period for bringing one is still running.
References in this Part to Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act, or to a provision of that Schedule (except the references in subsection (2) above), are to that Schedule or that provision without the modifications made by Part 1 of Schedule 10 to this Act.
The Lord Chancellor may, by order made with the concurrence of the Secretary of State and the Lord Chief Justice, apply (with or without modifications) any provision of this Part in relation to partnerships.
An order under subsection (1) is subject to negative resolution procedure.
Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to Scottish firms.
The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise the function of the Lord Chief Justice under subsection (1).
The Secretary of State may by order apply (with or without modifications) any provision of this Part in relation to Scottish firms.
An order under subsection (5) is subject to negative resolution procedure.
This section makes provision about the application of this Part to Northern Ireland.
Any reference to any provision of the 1986 Act is to have effect as a reference to the corresponding provision of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.
Section 85(4) is to have effect as if the reference to Northern Ireland were to England and Wales or Scotland.
Section 86 is to have effect as if—
in subsection (1)—
the reference to the Secretary of State were to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and
the reference to the Lord Chief Justice were to the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, and
for subsection (4) there were substituted—
As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the review period, the Secretary of State must—
carry out a review of the provisions of this Part, and
set out the conclusions of the review in a report.
The report must, in particular—
set out the objectives intended to be achieved by the regulatory system established by those provisions,
assess the extent to which those objectives have been achieved, and
assess whether those objectives remain appropriate and, if so, the extent to which they could be achieved with a system that imposed less regulation.
The review period is the period of 5 years beginning with the day on which the provisions of this Part come generally into force.
The Secretary of State must lay the report before Parliament.
This section applies to orders and regulations under this Act made by the Secretary of State, the Minister for the Civil Service, the Treasury or the Lord Chancellor.
Any order or regulations may—
contain incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision, and
make different provision for different cases or circumstances or for different areas.
Any order or regulations are to be made by statutory instrument.
Where any order or regulations are subject to “affirmative resolution procedure” the order or regulations may not be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the order or regulations has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
Where any order is subject to “approval after being made”, the order—
must be laid before Parliament after being made, and
ceases to have effect at the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which it was made unless, during that period, it is approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
In reckoning the period of 28 days no account is to be taken of any time—
during which Parliament is dissolved or adjourned, or
during which both Houses are adjourned for more than 4 days.
The order ceasing to have effect does not affect—
anything previously done under it, or
the making of a new order.
Where any order or regulations are subject to “negative resolution procedure” the statutory instrument containing the order or regulations is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Any provision that may be made by any order or regulations subject to negative resolution procedure may be included in an order or regulations subject to affirmative resolution procedure (in which case negative resolution procedure does not apply to the order or regulations).
In this Act—
Schedule 12 contains minor and consequential amendments (including repeals).
In that Schedule— Part 1 makes provision in relation to the Postal Services Act 2000, Part 2 makes provision in relation to the Communications Act 2003, and Part 3 makes provision in relation to other enactments.
The Minister for the Civil Service, the Secretary of State or the Treasury may by order make such other provision amending, repealing, revoking or otherwise modifying any enactment as they consider necessary or expedient in consequence of any provision made by this Act.
An order under subsection (3) is subject to negative resolution procedure.
There is to be paid out of money provided by Parliament—
any expenditure incurred by a Minister of the Crown or the Postal Services Commission by virtue of this Act, and
any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money so provided.
This Act may be cited as the Postal Services Act 2011.
The following provisions of this Act come into force on the day on which this Act is passed—
section 43 and Schedule 4 (recovery of administrative charges incurred by OFCOM),
section 66 and Schedule 9 (transitional provisions for Part 3) and the provisions mentioned in that Schedule (to the extent provided),
sections 89 and 90,
section 91(3) and (4),
section 92,
this section, and
any other provisions of this Act so far as necessary for the purposes of any of the provisions mentioned above.
The remaining provisions of this Act come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint (and different days may be appointed for different purposes).
The Secretary of State may by order make such transitional provision and savings as the Secretary of State considers necessary or expedient in connection with the commencement of any provision made by this Act.
Any amendment or repeal made by this Act has the same extent as the enactment to which it relates.
Subject to that, this Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.