Three young reporters working for newspapers in Scotland have received substantial pay increases following negotiations between the National Union of Journalists and Johnston Press-owned The Scotsman Publications Ltd, the union has claimed.

The increase is part of a deal which will see staff at the Edinburgh Evening News, The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday receive a 2pc pay rise following two months of negotiations between the company and the  NUJ chapel.

The union says three reporters were given a substantial pay increase after it was agreed they were being underpaid after starting the job on a low salary.

As part of the negotiations three freelancers have also accepted offers to become staff.

Paul Holleran, the NUJ’s Scottish Organiser, said he was pleased with the outcome of the negotiations, which will see the pay rise implemented this month.

Said Paul: “We are happy with the package. It could have come in in a different format. At the end of the day three freelancers are now staff and all of the papers have got a two per cent pay increase.

“We are happy with that and with the way it was dealt with. It shows that companies are recognising the need for pay restructure.”

Johnston Press declined to comment on the increases.