People ‘facing Christmas misery’ as Evri company loses parcels, says Welsh MP

People are “facing Christmas misery” because parcels are being lost or delayed by delivery firm Evri, Labour MP Carolyn Harris has said.

The MP for Swansea East also hit out at the company more generally, saying it was a “classic case of corporate greed over staff welfare and customer service”.

Speaking at a session of questions related to the business of the Commons, Ms Harris said: “Many people across the UK are facing Christmas misery as online shopping deliveries have been delayed or lost by delivery firm Evri.

“After expressing concerns about this company on social media, I have been inundated with stories of late or lost parcels, no or poor customer service, drivers earning less than the national living wage, drivers’ pay being withheld, and pathetic petrol allowance which is insufficient to cover increased fuel charges.

“A classic case of corporate greed over staff welfare and customer service.”

Commons leader Penny Mordaunt said: “I’m really shocked to hear that from the honourable lady. And I will immediately ask the Business Secretary to get one of his ministers to look into this, as clearly people are waiting on deliveries, particularly over the Christmas period.

“And the message to companies which want to short-change their workers and short-change their customers is not only will they lose their workforce and lose their customers, but the honourable lady will also give them a spanking on the floor of this House.”

Evri has been contacted for comment.

‘Losing millions’

Elsewhere in the session, ministers were told that transforming the Royal Mail into a “gig economy courier” would have huge implications for its future and the Commons must debate it.

Labour MP Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston) said: “Today is the fifth day this month that members of the Communication Workers Union are taking industrial action at the Royal Mail, and having spoken to a number of superb postal workers in my constituency I have real concerns about the way the company is being run.

“It has gone from making a huge profit to losing hundreds of millions of pounds in 12 months.

“It has prioritised parcels over letter delivery and it now wants to drop the universal service obligation.

“I think that if the future of the Royal Mail is to become a gig economy courier company, that will have huge implications not only for the quality of service but also postal workers’ terms and conditions and I think that is something this House ought to have an opinion on.”

Ms Mordaunt replied: “He will know that Beis (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) questions is not until the second week that we are back, so I will write to the Secretary of State (Grant Shapps) on his behalf to make sure he has heard his concerns.”