Evri has been named the worst-performing delivery company in the UK for the second year running.
The parcel firm scored just 1.75 stars in the annual Citizen's Advice parcel league table, reports The Manc.
Published each year by Citizens Advice, the league table scores delivery companies against a number of criteria including customer service, parcel problems, and accessibility needs – Evri, formerly known as Hermes, failed to secure even a three-star overall rating out of five.
The information and advice organisation measured the performance of the top five delivery companies in the UK by parcel volume using data from its Consumer Service, as well as consumer polling and social media complaints.
Image: Evri
Now facing calls for regulator Ofcom to consider fining the company if it cannot improve its service, a spokesperson for the Evri said the businesses prides itself on offering a “fast, reliable, sustainable service which doesn’t cost the earth for consumers and businesses alike”.
But the firm scored just 1.75 stars in the annual ranking, and came last for a second year running, despite what was called an overall improvement to services.
Yodel, DPD, and Amazon Logistics are three other parcel firms continuing to fail consumers.
Yodel got the lowest score on a single criteria of all the firms, only achieving just 1.7 stars for customer service – with almost half of Yodel customers polled by Citizens Advice (43%) reporting a problem with their last delivery, compared with just over a quarter (28%) of Royal Mail customers – with the latter achieving the highest overall score in the ranking.
Image: Evri
As well as publishing the annual ranking, Citizen’s Advice also revealed that a link to its online advice page titled ‘If something you ordered hasn’t arrived’ had been viewed almost 211,000 times in the last 12 months.
The page had even been viewed 52,000 times in the three months leading up to last Christmas.
“One year on and parcel firms haven’t got their act together, with nobody delivering a four or five-star service,” commented Dame Clare Moriarty – Chief Executive at Citizen’s Advice.
“Behind the figures are shoppers seriously let down when parcels go missing or are late.
Image: Evri
“The needs of those who rely most on online shopping, such as disabled people, are being forgotten, and our findings show there’s more for Ofcom to do to protect shoppers, and if these firms don’t up their game, it should be fining them.”
In response to the calls to fine delivery companies, an Ofcom spokesman added: “We agree that some parcel companies are failing their customers when deliveries go wrong, so we’re strengthening our regulations next year to make sure people are treated fairly by parcel firms.
“We welcome research that shines a light on their performance, which we are monitoring too. If we’re not satisfied with how companies respond when our new protections come into force, they may face enforcement action or tighter rules in future.”
A £1.6m grant has been given by the government to Leeds City Council to help tackle rough sleeping.
The funding has been allocated to Leeds City Council as part of the Government’s national Rough Sleeping Programme.
The overall target is to help rough sleepovers off the streets by Christmas through providing safe accommodation.
The council have said that voluntary organisations and charities will be able to help them reach this target.
The council report said: "This funding will be used for immediate interventions to ensure all those rough sleeping have an offer of accommodation by Christmas and support longer term sustainment of accommodation.
“The initial target is to provide a suitable offer of accommodation for everyone who is rough sleeping by Christmas 2026.
“Providing a path into supported accommodation and independent living is the key objective and sustaining this independent living with, where necessary, ongoing support to prevent any return to rough sleeping and homelessness.”
The government announcement spoke of the scheme: "The programme is intended to support people experiencing rough sleeping.
"People experiencing rough sleeping may have differing entitlements to housing and support depending on their individual circumstances, including their immigration status and eligibility for public funds."
The funding is intended to help provide immediate support for people currently sleeping on the streets, while also helping them access longer-term accommodation and the support needed to maintain independent living.
By working with local charities and voluntary organisations, the council hopes to ensure people are not only offered a place to stay but are also given the help they need to avoid returning to the streets.
M&S launches massive recruitment drive in Leeds with hundreds of jobs available
Emily Sergeant
M&S has launched a massive recruitment drive across Yorkshire.
With the festive season fast approaching, and most British stores having already unveiled their Christmas ranges for 2026, one of the country’s largest brands has launched a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drives to gear up for what is always one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry.
M&S has announced it will recruit for plenty of new colleagues across the UK.
As mentioned Christmas is one of the busiest moments of the year for M&S, and seasonal colleagues play a ‘vital’ part in delivering that.
Image: Supplied
New recruits will be tasked with helping M&S deliver a ‘brilliant’ service for customers.
Stores with vacancies span the whole of Leeds - including city centre, Moortown, Crown Point, White Rose Shopping Centre and Pudsey.
M&S says the roles are ‘fast-moving and hands-on’, with colleagues required to work together to make sure customers still get the very best of M&S, even at its busiest.
The roles will pay £13.41 per hour, with successful applicants receiving the training, tools and support needed to get up to speed quickly.
“We can’t wait to welcome over 300 new colleagues to our store teams here in Greater Manchester,” commented Zeba Khan, who is the Regional Manager at M&S.
“As we get ready for our busiest time of year, it’s a great opportunity to join us and help bring a magical M&S Christmas to our customers.
“We have a range of opportunities available, whether joining our city centre flagship or our fresh market-style foodhalls. We’re looking for colleagues who are passionate about delivering great customer service and being part of a team.”
Fancy it then? Applications are now open, and you can find out more and apply on the M&S Christmas careers page here.
The Hoot -
22nd November 2022 
