The postal minister, Kevin Hollinrake, has criticised Royal Mail for failing to deliver postal votes in time for the general election.

Rutland voters were among many up and down the country who complained that they had not received their postal votes in time to return them ahead of the General Elections.

Mr Hollinrake (Con), who held the role of postal minister before the election was called, said: "We urge Royal Mail to do all they can to make sure the postal votes get to the right people at the right time, and time is completely of the essence now."

A spokesperson for Royal Mail said: "Extra staff have been drafted in to work Wednesday and Thursday night to make sure that ballots are collected from postal sorting offices and reach the counts on July 4, before the polls close at 10pm."

However, today (July 3) the Royal Mail has insisted that there is 'no backlog', and remains confident that postal votes handed to them on time will be delivered prior to polling day.

Rutland County Council was made aware of the situation with postal votes in the county late on Friday (June 28), keeping officers on at Catmose until midnight.

They also opened on Saturday (June 29) until midday and have opened this week.

In the 2019 election, 21% of voters used postal votes, and the Local Government Association expects a 20% increase in postal votes since then.

Voters in more than 90 constituencies, including those of some cabinet ministers, and Rutland, have so far raised concerns over their postal ballots failing to arrive.

Mr Hollinrake is hoping to retain his seat in the Thirsk and Malton constituency for the Conservatives. The other candidates are Lisa Banes (Lab), Luke Brownlee (The Yorkshire Party), Steve Mason (Lib Dem), Richard McLane (Green Party), Mark Robinson (Reform UK).