A new report has demanded the UK Government brings forward support for the newspaper industry previously backed by new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The News Media Association has welcomed the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee’s new report ‘Post-pandemic economic growth: state aid and post-Brexit competition policy’, which has urged the Government to publish a draft Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill.

The Bill would give the new Digital Markets Unit the power to step in to solve pricing disputes between news outlets and platforms.

Both Mr Sunak, pictured, and his then-successful rival Liz Truss pledged to put the DMU on a statutory footing if elected Tory leader in September.

NMA chief executive Owen Meredith said: “We strongly welcome the Committee’s recommendation for government to publish the draft Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill without delay.

“This legislation will support competition in the digital economy, driving down prices for consumers and small businesses – allowing households to keep more of their money; while helping to level the playing field between news publishers and big tech platforms.

“We welcomed commitments made by the incoming Prime Minister during his leadership campaign to bring forward the DMU legislation in the autumn – and to repeal Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 which is also urgently needed – and look forward to working with his government to achieving these objectives which are vital for finding a sustainable future for trusted journalism in this country.”