By GB News (World News) | Created at 2024-12-16 18:41:21 | Updated at 2024-12-16 20:39:44
2 hours ago
Emily Carver has voiced concerns over Royal Mail's foreign ownership on GB News today, highlighting the historic institution's deep roots in British heritage.
The comments come as the UK government approved Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's £5.3billion takeover bid for Royal Mail's parent company, International Distribution Services.
Kretinsky, known as the "Czech sphinx" for his quiet, inscrutable style, already holds a 27 per cent stake in the company through his EP Group.
On GB News today, Emily said: "There's a lot of people in the country who are worried about this because they see Royal Mail as part of our heritage.
"Ultimately, we'd want the government to renationalise Royal Mail. Actually, this is the first time since privatisation where a UK government has agreed to take a golden share in the company, and there is an ongoing involvement of the government under the terms of the agreement that they've reached.
"What I would say to you is that we get those concerns. But the plain truth of the matter is the current board, all British directors, are running this company into the ground and they've got no money to invest.
"They claim they gave away 700 million to shareholders and then told the workforce they had no money. And these people got no vision for the future.
"So the choices in front of us to deal with are how we rebuild Royal Mail and the commitments that we've got.
"I would say to the public and to anyone who's got any concerns, when you see the full detail of the agreement, you will see that we have made a lot of progress here in terms of giving us a chance to rebuild Royal Mail.
"All of those concerns about the heritage of Royal Mail are taken care of in the terms of the agreement that Mr Kretinsky has signed up to, he's got to now earn the trust of the workforce, and he's got to earn the trust of the country."
As part of the takeover agreement, Kretinsky has made several legally binding commitments to protect Royal Mail's future.
He has pledged to honour the Universal Service Obligation indefinitely, ensuring deliveries across the UK at uniform prices.
As part of the takeover agreement, Kretinsky has made several legally binding commitments to protect Royal Mail's future
GB News
The Czech billionaire has also promised a 10 per cent share of future dividends to Royal Mail's 110,000 staff through an agreement with the Communication Workers Union.
No compulsory redundancies will be implemented until Ofcom's review of the Universal Service Obligation is completed in 2026.
The government will retain a "golden share," giving it veto power over changes to Royal Mail's tax residency or headquarters location.
Kretinsky has also agreed not to receive dividend payouts until 2030 unless delivery targets for first and second-class mail are met.
The company's headquarters will remain in the UK indefinitely, rather than the previously proposed five-year commitment.
