COMPETITION COMMISSION SHOULD INVESTIGATE HERALD NEWSPAPERS JOB CUTS,

COMPETITION COMMISSION SHOULD INVESTIGATE HERALD NEWSPAPERS JOB CUTS.

Speaking before a member's debate in the Scottish Parliament tonight (Wednesday) on the job losses announced by the owners of the Herald newspapers, Sandra White SNP MSP – who secured the debate – said that the Competition Commission should investigate the proposed changes considering Gannett/Newsquest's commitment to the Commission to develop and properly invest in these titles when they were acquired in 2003 The restructuring of the Herald titles by Gannett/Newsquest has resulted in the all 250 staff being made redundant and forced to reapply for their jobs.

This is despite the fact that in 2007 Gannett/Newsquest made a profit from its Herald titles of more than £23 million bringing the total since 2004 close to £100 million Gannett/Newsquest took over the Herald Titles in 2002 and have been widely criticised of giving misleading information to the Competition Commission concerning its commitment to the titles.

Commenting Sandra White said: "Gannett/Newsquest effectively hoodwinked the Competitions Commission by giving all sorts of spurious guarantees and commitments in the 2002 inquiry.

Instead they have behaved like asset strippers, running down the titles and cutting staff. "The draconian antics of management, which has resulted in journalists on all three titles being made redundant and having to re-apply for jobs, calls into question the assurances they gave to the Competition Commission. "

Whilst it seems that Gannett have paid little or no attention to the workforce or politicians on this matter I would hope that as a successful business they should pause, consider their future business prospects and re-evaluate this whole process.

"An investigation by the Competition Commission into Gannett/Newsquest's redundancy move, considering the assurances they gave in 2003 would help concentrate their minds."