MP and former journalist Austin Mitchell has won the backing of 33 parliamentary colleagues for his early day motion calling for fair pay for Newsquest employees.

The former TV broadcaster tabled the motion after quoting figures he said showed many journalists had a endured a "real terms pay cut" despite a 43 per cent pay rise for executives.

He - and his 33 colleagues who have added their names so far - are calling on the publisher to recognize the journalists' contribution to the profits by awarding a "fair" pay deal.

An Early Day Motion is a parliamentary petition about matters not generally expected to be debated.

The tabling of an EDM is a device to draw attention to an issue, and to gain support for it from other MPs.

Austin Mitchell's motion reads: "This House notes with concern that trained and qualified journalists working for the regional newspaper group Newsquest, which made over £70m last year while its US parent company made over $1bn, are earning as little as £12,000 a year; further notes that, although executive pay at Newsquest papers rose 43 per cent.

"Last year, many of the journalists endured a real terms pay cut imposed by the company; therefore supports the Newsquest journalists' campaign for fair pay; and urges the company to recognise the contribution made to the group by its journalists by giving them the fair deal they deserve."

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