Reach to make 450 employees redundant as part of “cost reduction” programme

It’s part of plans by the owner of publications including the Daily Mirror, the Daily Express and the Daily Star to reduce its operating costs for 2024 by around five to six percent. It follows announcements back in March to achieve a similarly sized reduction this year – which it says is on track to be delivered.  

The move comes as part of the company’s drive to “strengthen its position as a leading digital publisher” against the backdrop of continuing inflationary pressures that it expects will impact the business in 2024.  

Reach’s chief executive Jim Mullen said: “Our industry has a history of change and the future will undoubtedly involve yet more. That’s why it’s essential we set ourselves up to win, by making our operations suited to an increasingly fast-paced, competitive and customer-focused digital world. 

“Hard work over the last few years means we have established ourselves as a leading digital publisher. But there’s more to do and today is about organising our business to deliver against that challenge.” 

In what is the third round of job cuts announced at the publisher this year, of the 450 posts that will be cut – the National Union of Journalists said 320 will come from within the editorial department at the firm. The union’s national organiser Laura Davison said: “The announcement comes as yet another blow to Reach journalists who have adapted at pace to company demands.  

“Members will be understandably shocked at the scale of redundancies, particularly with previous rounds already withstood in recent months and in the run up to Christmas.

“Reach’s efforts to address economic challenges must not come at the expense of journalists who fear for their job security and the impact of quality journalism only able to thrive with the experience and talent of staff.”