From Monday, 14 July, the price of UK weekday editions of the Times will increase to £3.20. However, the new retail margin paid for each copy sold will not take effect until January 2026 and, even then, will drop 1%.
At the same time, all editions of the Sun will rise in price, with Monday to Friday editions increasing to £1.20.
The Saturday edition will rise to £1.60 and the Sunday edition to 1.90. The margin on all editions will drop 1% to 20%.
Knowsley protest
The protest has been organised by the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed).
The Fed’s national president Hetal Patel, who is protesting outside News UK’s head office at London Bridge, said: “Independent retailers are being financially squeezed out of the market by diminishing margins, and this is putting the availability of newspapers and home news delivery at risk.”
Fed members had been forced to take this action as News UK was enforcing the changes by stealth, he added.
He said: “We want the opportunity to discuss with News UK face to face the consequences of its actions.
“Independent retailers are operating under intense financial pressures. When cover prices rise, pro-rata terms are a necessity for retailers to simply stand still.
Scotland protest
“Reducing terms accelerates the decline in availability of newspapers to consumers and threatens the viability of the home delivered copy, which is a lifeline for the old, infirm and those without transport.
“Publishers have to take responsibility for the future of the news industry. That’s why we want News UK to reverse its decision and for the Fed to be involved in future discussions before any price changes go ahead.”
Around a dozen retailers have gathered in London, with a similar number gathering at the two other sites.
