I'm not sure why you think RM 2nd class is to be axed in the near future? Why do you think that?
I've sent most parcels that I've sold here RM 2nd class with no complaints from buyers, it gives reasonably quick delivery at an economical price.
Isn't it possible that there isn't much of an increase (this time around) because at £2.69 people find it safe , reliable and (compared with other services) at least something like cheap and far safer than couriers who might be a few pence cheaper but are far less reliable? It's possible that RM is finding that 2nd class is profitable at its current price, so just doesn't want to rock the boat that working for them?