THE price of sending a letter is to go up.

From March 23, the cost of a first class stamp will rise from 70p to 76p, with a second class stamp rising from 61p to 65p.

Royal Mail said the price increases are “necessary” to ensure the sustainability of its universal service.

Stephen Agar, managing director of letters at Royal Mail, said: “We are operating in a tough market at present, under the threat of making a loss by 2021.

“These price increases will help us maintain the quality of service that is expected by our customers, while supporting the universal service.”