Royal Mail has hit back at critics accusing it of deliberately delaying the release of its accounts.

It has promised to publish figures released to regulator Postcomm by the end of this week – but it is understood the figures do not include controversial numbers on executive pay.

The Communication Workers Union said the group was delaying the publication of its accounts because it did not want to reveal strong profitability and executive salaries during tough wage negotiations.

But a Royal Mail spokesman said the group would release key figures on its website. The filings to the regulator only include disclosure on Royal Mail’s letters business and do not reveal overall performance.