The publisher of The Sun and The Times has become a financial backer to a scheme aimed at increasing diversity in journalism.

The National Council for the Training of Journalists has unveiled News UK as the newest sponsor of the Journalism Diversity Fund.

News UK, which becomes the 14th media organisation to sponsor the scheme, will also offer opportunities for JDF candidates to gain insights into its editorial operations and to be mentored by its journalists.

The partnership comes in the 15th anniversary year of the JDF, which has supported almost 400 students from diverse backgrounds through their NCTJ training since 2005.

Daisy Dunlop, pictured, director of corporate affairs at News UK said: “News UK is delighted to support the NCTJ’s Journalism Diversity Fund and to help aspiring journalists from every background to be able to get the training they need.

“Our newsrooms are keen to reflect the diversity of their readership and of the nation, and this funding and the mentorships will go some way to ensuring there are fewer barriers for anyone keen to pursue a career in journalism.”

Will Gore, the NCTJ’s head of partnerships and projects, said: “Back in February we launched a fundraising drive to mark the JDF’s 15th anniversary.

“And while this year has proved to be more challenging than anyone could have expected, I’m delighted that News UK has answered the call by agreeing to become a sponsor.

“If anything, the events of the last few months have only served to confirm the JDF’s importance in enabling people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to gain access to professional journalism training.

“News UK’s generous contribution to the fund, and the role its journalists will play as mentors, means we can do more to help the industry become as diverse as the audiences it serves.”