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The Future of the British Post Office

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Abstract

Recent proposals of the U.K. government to privatize the British Post Office are considered in relation to broader European trends and in terms of economic efficiency. The proposals appear to open the possibility of moving away from a geographically uniform tariff that conflicts with proposals from the EU Commission for the EU, as well as reducing the postal monopoly. Uniform postal charges may or may not improve economic welfare, as there are clear-cut conditions under which their welfare effect can be positive or negative. A practical mechanism is suggested to allow the postal monopoly to be challenged by alternative suppliers without encouraging cream skimming.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Economics and Social Issues, Department of Economics and Public Administration, The Nottingham Trent University, Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4BU, United Kingdom

    Antony Dnes

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  1. Antony Dnes
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Dnes, A. The Future of the British Post Office. European Journal of Law and Economics 4, 93–102 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008687530134

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008687530134

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