On the Royal Mail...
I had to pick up some stamps...
It's a mail system that's completely self-funded, no additional funds are funnelled from the general operating funds, sic taxes. Similar to the USPS, Royal Mail rates must be approved by Parliament. [The consensus of the 3 Brits and 1 Irish persons standing on my side of the counter was that it was stupid for Parliament to have to approve postal rates, but Parliament has to get their fingers into everything. <LOL>]
Interesting difference though is that it's a hybrid government and private system. Major Post Offices are owned and operated by the government and the staff are Royal Mail [government] employees. But the vast number of "Post Offices" are operated by Royal Mail "Agents". An agent being a private person[s]that provides all the services of the Royal Mail and is paid commission based on the revenue generated by that point of operation. Agents provide all the facilities and equipment at their own expense. The Agent buys the stamp that is used for post marking at £90, but the Royal Mail, retains ownership of the stamp head.
The particular agent that I went to this morning has a separate business selling some food products, bread, eggs, sausage rolls, a few canned products and some fresh veg; a bit of wine and liquor. The Agent down the road has a separate business from the Royal Mail...something close to a stationary store. But all the agents are private businesses providing Royal Mail Services on a commission basis. As far as this Agent knows there is no other postal system in the world that is such a hybrid.
When I got my little pack of stamps, seasonal Christmas scene of course, it included a lottery ticket to win up to £1M. Typical lottery odds of slim to none. Total payout on the lottery is £1.5M. I think all lottery winnings in the UK are tax free.
Cheers,
jttmab |
