Redundancies at news publisher Reach plc

That this House recognises the skill and experience of journalists across Reach titles in the UK & Ireland; notes, with alarm and dismay, plans proposing 220 redundancies and the creation of 60 roles resulting in a net loss of 160 roles; urges the publisher to recognise the damaging impact this latest wave of cuts will have on journalists and the industry; recognises proposals include plans to create new roles, but notes some are similar roles to redundancies made to roles in the previous year; further notes that cuts include large numbers, again, at The Mirror where the title's editorial line champions journalism, providing a distinct, unique voice amid today's media landscape; also notes that the closure of three online titles: AberdeenLive, KentLive, and GalwayBeo will contribute to worsening local news deserts, reduce competition and limit choice for audiences; recognises that there is a corrosive cycle of redundancies based on the company's changing business strategy where newly hired workers are being placed at risk of redundancy; urges Reach leadership to engage meaningfully with the National Union of Journalists to reduce the scale of net job losses in formal consultation and urgently consider investment in retaining quality journalism and unique content to support the drive for revenue from digital subscriptions to promote a sustainable future that protects workers and the company’s public interest journalism upholding our democracy.