Jobs being axed at News International

THE publishers of The Sun and Sunday Times have announced that 100 of its 1,400 staff are to be made redundant.

As yet, it’s not known the implications for the Scottish titles of News International, following the announcement made yesterday.

There is a 30-day consultation now underway involving the affected staff.

In an email to her staff, Rebekah Wade – editor of The Sun, UK-wide – said: “We are announcing today reductions in the number of permanent staff and casual shifts on The Sun. I am writing to explain why we have been left with no option but to take this action and outline what will happen in relation to these cuts over the coming weeks.

“The Sun must balance the need to reduce costs while investing for the future allowing us to take advantage of new multi-media opportunities and compete with a different group of commercial rivals.

“On The Sun, we are doing everything possible to save jobs by making other cuts in every department across the paper with reductions in lineage, pictures, expenses and retainers.

“The loss of any journalists’ jobs is never pleasant but I can assure you the redundancy process will be done quickly and fairly and where possible we will look for volunteers. For those leaving The Sun, payments are some of the most generous in the industry.”