Union chiefs have urged a regional publisher to increase journalists’ pay so they can deal with the cost-of-living crisis.

The National Union of Journalists has made the plea to help Reach plc’s editorial staff meet the “enormous challenge” posed by the issue.

The call comes after Reach’s annual report revealed its chief executive Jim Mullen, pictured, and chief financial officer Simon Fuller received remuneration of almost £7.5m between them last year.

Chris Morley, Reach NUJ national coordinator, said the executives’ pay showed the board believes the company has “performed well and is successful” and that therefore they need to “make amends on languishing employees’ pay.”

Said Chris: “They must properly fund a decent pay rise for 2022 to their journalists so that it better reflects their true value to the company and wider society – and goes to meet the enormous challenge posed by the very real cost of living crisis.

“A large majority of Reach journalists are now working from home as a result of the new ‘home and hub’ policy and while the company will be benefiting annually with savings to the tune of £8m, most of the costs have been passed to our members. There has to be a just settlement to this year’s pay round.”

Reach declined to comment on the NUJ’s call when approached by HTFP.

Reach website Lancs Live announced last week it had appointed Jamie Lopez as a full-time reporter to cover the cost-of-living crisis.