Stamp prices to increase next month

From Monday 25 March, the price of a first-class stamp for a standard letter will rise to 70p, and the price of a second-class stamp for a standard letter will increase to 61p. 

A standard letter can weigh up to 100g and be a maximum size of 24cm x 16.5cm x 5mm. 

The prices for large-letter stamps are also going up: from £1.01 to £1.06 for first class and from 79p to 83p for second class. These letters can be 35.3cm x 25cm x 2.5cm, but still have to weigh 100g or less. If they weigh more, you'll have to pay extra.

If you're an avid letter-writer, have invitations to send or are just looking ahead to your Christmas card list, it's possible to beat the price rise by stocking up on stamps at the cheaper rate before 25 March.

Buy a stamp now and it will still be valid once the prices rise after 25 March.

This increase comes a year after Royal Mail raised the cost of first and second-class stamps by 2p. 

It's the latest of the public service and utility price hikes expected over the coming weeks, and it follows an announcement yesterday that prescription costs will increase to £9 from April. 

What does Royal Mail say?

A statement on the Royal Mail website says: "Royal Mail understands that many companies and households are finding it hard in the current economic environment.

"As a result, we have considered any pricing changes very carefully and in doing so have sought to minimise any impact on our customers."