Increases in cover price have come into force at The Scotsman, with the newspaper to sell for five pence more during the week.

The cost of buying the title has risen to 85p from this week for the Monday to Friday editions, while there are also increases for the weekend papers.

Johnston Press announced on Friday that the Saturday edition of The Scotsman would rise to £1.20 and the cover price of Scotland on Sunday would increase to £1.70, both cost increases taking effect immediately.

The move has been welcomed by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, whose Scottish representatives lobbied the newspaper group for price increases, saying they were pleased the rises would be accompanied by pro rata terms.

Abdul Qadar, Scottish president of the NFRN, said: “It’s great to see the New Year getting off to such a positive start with newspaper publishers really showing their support to independent newsagents.

“We have been lobbying for price increases on Johnston Press titles for some time so we are delighted that the publisher has listened to our concerns.”

Cover price increases are also expected to be brought in on a number of other Johnston Press titles.

Johnston Press had not responded to requests for a comment at the time of publication.