A knitted figure of children’s character Postman Pat is seen on top of a Royal Mail post box in Liverpool, Britain, September 22, 2021. REUTERS/Phil Noble

A knitted figure of children’s character Postman Pat is seen on top of a Royal Mail post box in Liverpool, Britain, September 22, 2021. REUTERS/Phil Noble

A Royal Mail post box is seen in central London July 11, 2014. Britain's biggest privatisation in years was blighted by a fear of failure and poor advice from state-appointed banks, a committee of lawmakers said on Friday following an inquiry into the 2 billion pound ($3.4 billion) sale of Royal Mail. REUTERS/Neil Hall (BRITAIN - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

A Royal Mail post box is seen in central London July 11, 2014. Britain's biggest privatisation in years was blighted by a fear of failure and poor advice from state-appointed banks, a committee of lawmakers said on Friday following an inquiry into the 2 billion pound ($3.4 billion) sale of Royal Mail. REUTERS/Neil Hall (BRITAIN - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

A dog walker posts a letter in a Royal Mail post box in Maybury near Woking in southern England March 25, 2014. Britain's newly-privatised postal operator Royal Mail said on Tuesday it would cut around 1,300 operational and head office jobs in order to deliver annualised savings of 50 million pounds ($82.45 million). REUTERS/Luke MacGregor (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS EMPLOYMENT)

A postman's Royal Mail bicycle is propped against a fence at Send in southern England March 25, 2014. Britain's newly-privatised postal operator Royal Mail said on Tuesday it would cut around 1,300 operational and head office jobs in order to deliver annualised savings of 50 million pounds ($82.45 million). REUTERS/Luke MacGregor (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS EMPLOYMENT)

A Royal Mail postal van is parked outside homes in Maybury near Woking in southern England March 25, 2014. Britain's newly-privatised postal operator Royal Mail said on Tuesday it would cut around 1,300 operational and head office jobs in order to deliver annualised savings of 50 million pounds ($82.45 million). REUTERS/Luke MacGregor (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS EMPLOYMENT)

A man rides a bicycle past a post box in London November 27, 2013. Britain's Royal Mail said rising parcel revenue and ongoing cost cuts helped the newly-privatised postal operator almost double its operating profit in the first half of the year. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

A Royal Mail truck drives past Mount Pleasant sorting office in central London, October 19, 2013. Britain's Royal Mail was valued by some investment banks 50 percent higher than last week's public sale price, a newspaper reported, adding to a debate over whether the postal service was sold off too cheaply. Britain's Business Secretary Vince Cable rebuffed accusations that the government underpriced the privatisation of Royal Mail and said on Friday the threat of industrial action had influenced the price-setting process. REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: POLITICS)

People leave Royal Mail's Mount Pleasant sorting office in central London, October 19, 2013. Britain's Royal Mail was valued by some investment banks 50 percent higher than last week's public sale price, a newspaper reported, adding to a debate over whether the postal service was sold off too cheaply. Britain's Business Secretary Vince Cable rebuffed accusations that the government underpriced the privatisation of Royal Mail and said on Friday the threat of industrial action had influenced the price-setting process. REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A man leaves Royal Mail's Mount Pleasant sorting office in central London, October 19, 2013. Britain's Royal Mail was valued by some investment banks 50 percent higher than last week's public sale price, a newspaper reported, adding to a debate over whether the postal service was sold off too cheaply. Britain's Business Secretary Vince Cable rebuffed accusations that the government underpriced the privatisation of Royal Mail and said on Friday the threat of industrial action had influenced the price-setting process. REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

Pedestrians walk past the British Postal Museum at Mount Pleasant sorting office in central London, October 19, 2013. Britain's Royal Mail was valued by some investment banks 50 percent higher than last week's public sale price, a newspaper reported, adding to a debate over whether the postal service was sold off too cheaply. Britain's Business Secretary Vince Cable rebuffed accusations that the government underpriced the privatisation of Royal Mail and said on Friday the threat of industrial action had influenced the price-setting process. REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SOCIETY)

A postal worker pushes a trolley past Mount Pleasant sorting office in central London, October 19, 2013. Britain's Royal Mail was valued by some investment banks 50 percent higher than last week's public sale price, a newspaper reported, adding to a debate over whether the postal service was sold off too cheaply. Britain's Business Secretary Vince Cable rebuffed accusations that the government underpriced the privatisation of Royal Mail and said on Friday the threat of industrial action had influenced the price-setting process. REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

Royal Mail vans sit in the car park of Mount Pleasant sorting office in central London, October 19, 2013. Britain's Royal Mail was valued by some investment banks 50 percent higher than last week's public sale price, a newspaper reported, adding to a debate over whether the postal service was sold off too cheaply. Britain's Business Secretary Vince Cable rebuffed accusations that the government underpriced the privatisation of Royal Mail and said on Friday the threat of industrial action had influenced the price-setting process. REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

A Royal Mail post box is seen in central London October 16, 2013. Workers at Britain's newly privatized Royal Mail postal service voted on Wednesday to strike for 24 hours on November 4 if they cannot reach agreement with the firm on pay and working conditions. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

Raindrops are seen on a Royal Mail post box in central London October 16, 2013. Workers at Britain's newly privatized Royal Mail postal service voted on Wednesday to strike for 24 hours on November 4 if they cannot reach agreement with the firm on pay and working conditions. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

A man walks past the London Stock Exchange in the City of London October 11, 2013. Shares in Britain's Royal Mail rocketed to a near 40 percent premium above their issue price in Friday's stock market debut, fuelling a debate about whether they had been priced too low in order to guarantee a successful privatisation. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (BRITAIN - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)

People walk past an electronic information board at the London Stock Exchange in the City of London October 11, 2013. Shares in Britain's Royal Mail rocketed to a near 40 percent premium above their issue price in Friday's stock market debut, fuelling a debate about whether they had been priced too low in order to guarantee a successful privatisation. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (BRITAIN - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)

People pass electronic information boards at the London Stock Exchange in the City of London October 11, 2013. Shares in Britain's Royal Mail rocketed to a near 40 percent premium above their issue price in Friday's stock market debut, fuelling a debate about whether they had been priced too low in order to guarantee a successful privatisation. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (BRITAIN - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)

An electronic information board is seen at the London Stock Exchange in the City of London October 11, 2013. Shares in Britain's Royal Mail rocketed to a near 40 percent premium above their issue price in Friday's stock market debut, fuelling a debate about whether they had been priced too low in order to guarantee a successful privatisation. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (BRITAIN - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)

A woman walks past a Royal Mail post box in central London, October 8, 2013. Britain is on track to sell shares in Royal Mail at the top of its price range, two sources close to the deal said, valuing the postal service at more than $5 billion on the final day that investors can put in orders. REUTERS/Andrew Winning (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS)

A woman post a letter into a golden Royal Mail post box in central London, October 8, 2013. Britain is on track to sell shares in Royal Mail at the top of its range, two sources close to the deal said, valuing the postal service at more than $5 billion (3 billion pounds) on the final day that investors can put in orders. The post box is one of several that was painted golden to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games. REUTERS/Andrew Winning (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS)

A notice showing collection times is seen on a golden Royal Mail post box in central London, October 8, 2013. Britain is on track to sell shares in Royal Mail at the top of its range, two sources close to the deal said, valuing the postal service at more than $5 billion (3 billion pounds) on the final day that investors can put in orders. The post box is one of several that was painted golden to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games. REUTERS/Andrew Winning (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS)

A pigeon flies past a Royal Mail post box outside Charing Cross station in central London, October 8, 2013. Britain is on track to sell shares in Royal Mail at the top of its range, two sources close to the deal said, valuing the postal service at more than $5 billion (3 billion pounds) on the final day that investors can put in orders. REUTERS/Andrew Winning (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS)

A man walks past a golden Royal Mail post box in Westminster, central London, October 8, 2013. Britain is on track to sell shares in Royal Mail at the top of its range, two sources close to the deal said, valuing the postal service at more than $5 billion (3 billion pounds) on the final day that investors can put in orders. The post box is one of several that was painted golden to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games. REUTERS/Andrew Winning (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS)

A Royal Mail post box stands on a street corner in Manchester, northern England September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A book of first class postage stamps are seen in detail in Manchester, northern England, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A Royal Mail post box is set into the wall around the churchyard in the village of Sydenham, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A car drives past a Royal Mail post box next to a traffic sign in Emmington, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A man walks past a Royal Mail post box with a for sale sign behind it in Shepshed, central England, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff. REUTERS/Darren Staples (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A for sale sign stands behind a post box in Shepshed, central England, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff. REUTERS/Darren Staples (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

Toy post box and London buses are seen on sale in central London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff. REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

Fridge magnet Post boxes and London taxis are seen on sale in central London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff. REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A penny black stamp is seen next to copies of the stamp at Stanley Gibbons stamp collection shop in central London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff. REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A penny black stamp is seen under the magnifying glass at Stanley Gibbons stamp collection shop in central London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff. REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A member of staff at Stanley Gibbons stamp collectors holds up a penny black stamp, London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff. REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A Royal mail post box is seen in east London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

Collection times are advertised on a post box in east London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A Royal Mail passes the Houses of Parliament in central London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

Paint peels on a Royal Mail post box in central London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

Paint peels on a Royal Mail post box in central London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A Royal Mail passes the Houses of Parliament in central London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A Royal Mail passes the Houses of Parliament behind it, in central London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A book of first class postage stamps are seen in detail in Manchester, northern England, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A book of first class postage stamps are seen in detail in Manchester, northern England, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A Royal Mail van crosses Lambeth Bridge with the Houses of Parliament behind it, in central London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

Rain drops fall on a Royal Mail van outside it's Bethnal Green sorting office in east London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A woman passes the Royal Mail's Bethnal Green sorting office in east London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

Paint peels on Royal Mail post boxes outside a sorting office in Altrincham, northern England September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A postal worker sets off on his delivery from Bethnal Green sorting office in east London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A postal worker carries a drinks mug as he leaves a sorting office in Altrincham, northern England September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A postal worker sets off on his delivery in east London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A postal worker gestures outside Bethnal Green sorting office, east London, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatisation in decades on Thursday as the government unveiled plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. The Department for Business said a stock market flotation would take place in coming weeks, giving the public a chance to buy into the postal network. Ten percent of the shares will be given to Royal Mail staff.REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A woman posts a letter in Loughborough, central England, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatization in decades on Thursday with the government unveiling plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. REUTERS/Darren Staples (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS)

A postal worker pushes a cart at a Royal Mail sorting office in Loughborough, central England, September 12, 2013. Britain embarked on its largest privatization in decades on Thursday with the government unveiling plans to sell the majority of the near 500-year-old state-owned Royal Mail postal service. REUTERS/Darren Staples (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS)

Postal worker Kanjarian Maganlal, who has worked at the Post Office for 23 years, sorts letters at Mount Pleasant sorting office in London July 26, 2013. After three aborted privatisation attempts in 19 years, Britain's Royal Mail postal service looks closer than ever to a sale that would end almost five centuries of ties to the state. Photograph taken on July 26, 2013. REUTERS/Olivia Harris (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A sheet of two penny tyrian plum stamps, bearing the head of King Edward VII, are seen at the British Postal Museum in London July 26, 2013. After three aborted privatisation attempts in 19 years, Britain's Royal Mail postal service looks closer than ever to a sale that would end almost five centuries of ties to the state. Photograph taken on July 26, 2013. REUTERS/Olivia Harris (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

A sheet of Penny Black stamps, bearing the head of Queen Victoria, are seen at the British Postal Museum in London July 26, 2013. After three aborted privatisation attempts in 19 years, Britain's Royal Mail postal service looks closer than ever to a sale that would end almost five centuries of ties to the state. Photograph taken on July 26, 2013. REUTERS/Olivia Harris (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

Royal Mail postman Donnie Macdonald delivers mail in Glen Tilt, Highland Perthshire, in Scotland July 24, 2013. After three aborted privatisation attempts in 19 years, Britain's Royal Mail postal service looks closer than ever to a sale that would end almost five centuries of ties to the state. Photograph taken on July 24, 2013. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

Royal Mail postman Donnie Macdonald delivers mail in Glen Tilt, Highland Perthshire, in Scotland July 24, 2013. After three aborted privatisation attempts in 19 years, Britain's Royal Mail postal service looks closer than ever to a sale that would end almost five centuries of ties to the state. Photograph taken on July 24, 2013. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)