A Scottish daily has been criticised by a newsagents’ body after raising its cover price but cutting percentage terms for retailers.

The National Federation of Retail Newsagents claims terms for newsagents have been cut from 23.2pc to 22pc for the Daily Record, after it raised its Monday to Friday cover price by 5p to 50p last month.

Letters from NRFN chief executive Paul Baxter and Scottish president Des Donnelly highlighting the concerns of their members have been sent to Trinity Mirror’s group sales and marketing director Neil Jagger.

The NRFN said the move was a ‘huge blow’ to retailers and said the newspaper group had previously been supportive of newsagents.

Mr Baxter said: “It was a huge blow to find that in such difficult trading conditions a newspaper group which has previously been so supportive of independent newsagents has decided to increase its price but cut retailers’ terms to a miserly 22pc.

“To make matters worse in a letter to the trade, Daily Record circulation director Iain Steele advised of the cover price increase but made no mention of the reduction in terms.

“We have written to Neil Jagger setting out our concerns and warning that members may decide to take individual action.”

The NRFN said it had received a response to its concerns from Daily Record editor-in-chief Allan Rennie, who said he would welcome a meeting between the newsagents’ body and the Trinity Mirror.

He told the NRFN: “Times are tough and producing our unique Scottish content costs more than the daily regurgitation of showbiz stories in London-based titles such as the Sun, Star and Express.

“I appreciate you outlining the strength of feeling from some of your members. And I welcome a positive conversation between the NFRN and Trinity Mirror on how best we can support and promote each other.”

Trinity Mirror declined to comment further.