The jobs, almost exclusively editorial production jobs, are going as the two papers introduce a new editorial systems that will see reporters putting their copy straight onto the page without being checked by sub-editors.
Ian Parrott, group managing editor, said in a letter to staff: “The reason for these changes is that it is imperative for the business that substantial cost savings are made.
“This is the only way we can maintain a viable business able to cope with the problems of the national economy and the credit crunch and its continuing effect on us – the substantial drop in our advertising revenues and the continuing drop in our circulation figures.”
Estimates range from 69 to more than 80 journalists losing their jobs by the end of the year, although there has been no confirmation of exact numbers.
Earlier this year Express Newspapers reported a six-fold increase in pre-tax profits for last year, which grew to nearly £55 million, according to accounts filed at Companies House.
The owner of the Daily Express and Daily Star national newspapers reported a pre-tax profit of £54.85 million, on turnover of more than £280 million, in the year ending 31 December, 2007.
