INDUSTRY / NEWS 8 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2025 - Issue 353 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine The latest figures from the Advertising Association (AA) and the World Advertising Research Center (WARC) reveal that UK ad spending increased in Q3 of 2024, with direct mail seeing a significant increase. Ad spending in the UK reached £10.6bn in Q3 of 2024, a 9.7% increase compared to the same period last year. Within this increase, direct mail saw a 12.9% year-onyear growth in comparison to 2023. UK ad spending has been predicted to grow a further 6.9% in 2025, bringing the total market value from £40.7bn to £43.5bn. The figures mark the first time in more than two years that UK direct mail has returned to growth, after declines in 2023 and 2022. Royal Mail has released statements on the latest figures. Philip Ricketts, wholesale commercial director at Royal Mail, says: “The latest data from AA/WARC reflects an advertising industry that is returning to confidence and investing in a healthily varied media mix.” Recently the Strategic Mailing Partnership (SMP) has responded to major reforms of Royal Mail’s Universal Service Obligation proposed by Ofcom. Ofcom released a consultation document, open for responses until April 10th, proposing a range of reforms to Royal Mail’s Universal Service Obligation (USO), designed to ensure it remains financially sustainable while retaining key services. The SMP is among the organisations that are encouraging individuals and businesses to respond to the consultation before the deadline. The consultation is open until April 10th, 2025, with a decision based on the consultation expected in the summer. Any changes to the USO will take effect upon publication. Ofcom has encouraged those interested to review the consultation details and submit a response by the April 10th deadline. Information including a downloadable response form can be found on the Ofcom website. In 2024, Royal mail proposed a range of changes to the USO, which is also designed to ensure a minimum quality and affordability standard for the UK’s mail services. Royal Mail’s proposals for the USO included only delivering non-first class letters every other weekday, keeping its six-day-a-week service for only first-class letters. In December 2024, Ofcom fined Royal Mail £10.5m for failing to meet its targets for first- and second-class deliveries in 2023/24. In the same month, the UK government approved a £3.6bn takeover of Royal mail by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group. By Jonathan Pert New figures reveal return to growth for direct mail Final UK ad spend figures for 2024 are due to be published in late April The British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) has launched its newly-formed Apprenticeship Champion Network. The initiative, which was launched this week as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2025, will bring together advocates from across the print industry, with the aim of supporting and promoting the future success of businesses and professionals in the sector. The Apprenticeship Champion Network is designed to connect employers, training providers, and industry leaders together, creating a collaborative space where members can share best practices, mentor apprentices, and advocate for skills development within the printing industry. By becoming an apprenticeship champion, individuals and businesses will be tasked with raising awareness of apprenticeship opportunities and the benefits they bring to both employers and learners. The BPIF’s current apprenticeship schemes currently has over 400 apprentices in training and partnerships with more than 150 employers. According to the organisation, “the launch of the Apprenticeship Champion Network is a natural next step in strengthening the industry’s skills pipeline.” The launch of the Apprenticeship Champion Network has been created to align with ‘Skills for Life’, a national lifelong learning strategy in England for improving adult skills. Key focuses of the initiative include lifelong learning and workforce development. Throughout National Apprenticeship Week 2025, BPIF Training will be sharing stories of successful apprentices, employer case studies, and insights from apprenticeship champions through its online channels, aiming to showcase the value of high-quality training and career development in the print sector. Employers can access resources for National Apprenticeship Week 2025 on a resource hub on the BPIF Training website. BPIF Training will also be releasing guides and documents throughout the week, with topic titles including Understanding Apprenticeships, Onboarding, and Identifying Business Needs. According to a statement on BPIF’s website, those hiring an apprentice through its scheme may be eligible for an incentive payment of £3,000 per apprentice, in addition to the £1,000 incentive payment received for hiring an apprentice aged 16 to 18. BPIF launches new apprenticeship network BPIF Training is one of the UK’s main providers of print apprenticeships, supporting over 400 apprentices and working with more than 150 employers By Jonathan Pert
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