Postal strikes in the UK to continue

With Britain in the grip of what now appears to be a rolling postal strike the warning is: make alternative plans to pay your bills, or you could be faced with a hefty fine from your bank, credit card or utility company.

Despite postal workers' action that means there will be no post delivered for at least a week, the banks insist that strike or no strike it is our responsibility to pay our bills on time.

At around £12 for each late payment and the possibility of interest being added, anyone who hopes the phrase "the cheque's in the post" will suffice is likely to find themselves seriously out of pocket.

With credit card and utility bills, pay cheques and other financial documents, not to mention countless other important documents, such as travel tickets, hospital appointments and passport applications in the post, there is no doubt that the disruption the strikes are causing is widespread.

Business as usual for banks

However, while acknowledging the disruption, the banks are standing firm on their decision to proceed with business as usual while the postal chaos continues.

A spokeswoman for the banks' trade body, the Association for Payment Clearing Services, warned: "Although your bill may not arrive in the next few days, you shouldn't assume that payment isn't due within the normal timescale.

"Anyone who is due to pay a bill by cheque in the post during the strike should check they are not going to miss a payment deadline and be penalised as a result."

A spokesman from Postwatch, the watchdog for postal services in the UK, also acknowledges the disruption the strikes are causing. "The impact of the strike on consumers is difficult to gauge exactly, but it will mean that important mail items such as hospital and other appointments, credit card bills, travel tickets and so on could be severely delayed.

"Customers expecting important mail should contact senders to discuss ways of getting around the postal problems - for example, by finding out how much is owed on a credit card and organising payment so as to avoid extra charges."

Unfair on customers

Not surprisingly, the hardline stance adopted by the banks has been met with criticism. Eddy Weatherill from the Independent Banking Advisory Service, accuses the banks of taking unfair advantage of the strike at a time when they could give some leeway to beleaguered customers.

He said: "It's only the banks who would look to cash in on a national strike which is causing huge disruption. And it's typical that they view every crisis as an opportunity to make money."

Special provisions

Fortunately, special arrangements have already been put in place for pensioners and people in receipt of state benefits who normally receive a cheque by post.

The Department for Work and Pensions says it will arrange for all such cheques to be delivered by courier to the post office nearest to the recipient, for them to collect and cash on the usual payday. These arrangements will affect all cheque payments due from October 4 onwards, until further notice.

But for anyone else, with postal disruption set to continue for the foreseeable future, and the banks not in any hurry to shift their stance, it's time to find alternative ways to meet your bill, loan and other repayments on time.

Other ways to pay

Fortunately in this age of online banking, direct debits and automated bank transfers, many transactions can be carried out on time, regardless of the postal strikes.

As Sandra Quinn, director of communications at APACS insists, with a little effort, keeping on top of your finances is simple enough, even with the strikes underway.

"We all tend to know what time of the month to expect our credit card bill. So although your bill may not arrive in the next few days, you shouldn't assume that payment isn't due within the normal timescale," she said.

She suggested contacting your credit card company to discuss alternative methods of payment in advance of your due date.

Similarly, if you're expecting to receive a payment by cheque through the post it is wise to contact the payer to see whether they can make the payment to you via an automated bank transfer or standing order.

Top tips for paying bills during the strike:

1. Keep a note of when your credit card statements are due or other regular bills. If you think a bill may be due you should check with your supplier.

2. If you have already sent a cheque to pay your credit card bill and are concerned about it getting there in time, speak to your credit card company.

3. If your bill is due during the period of the strike, look at other payment options: Pay online - if you bank online or by phone you can set up a transfer or you can log onto your credit card company's site and pay by debit card - or pay by cash or cheque at your bank or local post office.

4. Consider setting up a direct debit to pay at least the minimum payment on your credit card bill. This can be done over the telephone.

Source: APACS