The Margin is happy to see that the art of understatement is not dead at An Post which placed advertisements last week informing customers that "some minor changes" were being introduced in the pricing structures, effective immediately.

The 30p increase on the minimum Swiftpost charge of £2.00 represented a mere 15 per cent increase, but it was the discreet message at the bottom of the advertisement which has ruffled feathers.

"Some changes" were also being made to the pricing of newspaper and periodical subscriptions, An Post stated, and details were available by calling Letter Post Sales. There, you were informed that the flat rate charge system is no more and British subscribers can expect to pay £1.35 instead of 40p to have a newspaper over 250 grams delivered. The diaspora will not be pleased.