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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Royal Mail plans to be unveiled | Royal Mail plans to be unveiled |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Controversial government proposals to sell off part of the Royal Mail are to be introduced in Parliament on Thursday. | Controversial government proposals to sell off part of the Royal Mail are to be introduced in Parliament on Thursday. |
| Ministers want to sell a stake of about 30% to the private sector to help pay for the modernisation of the service. | Ministers want to sell a stake of about 30% to the private sector to help pay for the modernisation of the service. |
| The plan faces opposition from a large number of Labour MPs, with 139 signing a motion opposing a sell-off, and from unions who plan a protest on Tuesday. | The plan faces opposition from a large number of Labour MPs, with 139 signing a motion opposing a sell-off, and from unions who plan a protest on Tuesday. |
| But the Conservatives and the Lib Dems have backed the move in principle. | But the Conservatives and the Lib Dems have backed the move in principle. |
| In December, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson endorsed the recommendations of an independent report which called for a minority stake in the business to be sold off. | In December, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson endorsed the recommendations of an independent report which called for a minority stake in the business to be sold off. |
| He said Royal Mail could not survive in its current form, due to severe financial constraints and falling demand for sending letters, and needed fresh investment in technology to prosper. | He said Royal Mail could not survive in its current form, due to severe financial constraints and falling demand for sending letters, and needed fresh investment in technology to prosper. |
| 'Unpopular' | 'Unpopular' |
| He denies the plan amounts to a sell-off of the business, saying it will be a "partnership" which maintains Labour's commitment at the last election to keep Royal Mail in public ownership. | He denies the plan amounts to a sell-off of the business, saying it will be a "partnership" which maintains Labour's commitment at the last election to keep Royal Mail in public ownership. |
| We urge the government to respond to the justified concerns of UK citizens who do not want to see this valuable public asset carved up Billy Hayes, CWU union | We urge the government to respond to the justified concerns of UK citizens who do not want to see this valuable public asset carved up Billy Hayes, CWU union |
| But unions will stage a mass protest on Tuesday against the plans, which they say are "deeply unpopular". | But unions will stage a mass protest on Tuesday against the plans, which they say are "deeply unpopular". |
| "We urge the government to take responsible action and respond to the justified concerns of UK citizens who do not want to see this valuable public asset carved up," said Billy Hayes, general secretary of the CWU union. | "We urge the government to take responsible action and respond to the justified concerns of UK citizens who do not want to see this valuable public asset carved up," said Billy Hayes, general secretary of the CWU union. |
| Unions point to the fact that Royal Mail made a profit of £255m in the last nine months of 2008 and argue that it is healthy and can thrive in its current form. | Unions point to the fact that Royal Mail made a profit of £255m in the last nine months of 2008 and argue that it is healthy and can thrive in its current form. |
| The protest will come on the same day as Royal Mail bosses are grilled by MPs on their plans for the company. | The protest will come on the same day as Royal Mail bosses are grilled by MPs on their plans for the company. |
| The plans could potentially result in the largest backbench rebellion of Gordon Brown's premiership. | The plans could potentially result in the largest backbench rebellion of Gordon Brown's premiership. |
| Unless Labour rebels are persuaded to back the measures, the government may have to rely on opposition MPs' support to get them through. | Unless Labour rebels are persuaded to back the measures, the government may have to rely on opposition MPs' support to get them through. |
| Threat to jobs | Threat to jobs |
| Union leaders and MPs are worried about the threat to jobs in the event of part-privatisation and the impact of private sector involvement on the Royal Mail's "universal service" obligation to deliver mail to every UK home. | Union leaders and MPs are worried about the threat to jobs in the event of part-privatisation and the impact of private sector involvement on the Royal Mail's "universal service" obligation to deliver mail to every UK home. |
| Business Secretary Lord Mandelson speaking about the plans in January | |
| Ministers say they are committed to the universal service but argue that Royal Mail is less competitive than its European counterparts and needs to improve its performance in order to safeguard its long-term survival. | Ministers say they are committed to the universal service but argue that Royal Mail is less competitive than its European counterparts and needs to improve its performance in order to safeguard its long-term survival. |
| They have also called for a "fresh start" in industrial relations after 2007's damaging strike which cost it millions of pounds. | They have also called for a "fresh start" in industrial relations after 2007's damaging strike which cost it millions of pounds. |
| Dutch postal operator TNT is the only firm, so far, to have publicly expressed interest in buying a chunk of Royal Mail. | Dutch postal operator TNT is the only firm, so far, to have publicly expressed interest in buying a chunk of Royal Mail. |
| Other proposals would see the government take over responsibility for funding the Royal Mail's large pension deficit. | Other proposals would see the government take over responsibility for funding the Royal Mail's large pension deficit. |