Plymouth MPs Linda Gilroy  today expressed her delight that the free postal service for families of Armed Forces personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq will be extended beyond the Christmas period.  

Mrs Gilroy said “Having visited troops in Iraq I know how important contact from home is, and it is wonderful news that Royal Mail and the Ministry of Defence have been able to broker an agreement to keep the parcel service free – in all probability for as long as we have forces in these areas”. 

The free service has proved extremely popular with families of those serving overseas since its launch in September. The current arrangement was due to expire in December, however, under a new deal agreed in November between the Ministry of Defence and Royal Mail, it will now continue after Christmas and is expected to last as long as British forces are serving in these areas.  

Over the past few weeks, in the run up to Christmas, around 100,000 parcels a week have been sent free of postage to around 14,000 frontline personnel, providing them with gifts, non-perishable food items and home comforts. 

Under the new deal, the costs of continuing the free parcel scheme will be shared jointly by Royal Mail and the BFPO. Relatives and friends can take parcels weighing up to two kilograms to any of the UK's 14,150 Post Office branches for onward posting to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Royal Navy ships in the region.

19 December 2007