JOURNALISTS' SALARIES

Early day motion 659, tabled 21 July 2005 by Janet Dean (Labour). Signed by 38 members.

That this House notes with concern the relatively low wages within journalism; recognises that, whilst the majority of trainee journalists enter the profession with a university degree, many start on a salary of less than £10,000 a year; further notes that graduates entering other industries earn an average of £20,300 a year in their first jobs; further recognises that some senior journalists earn as little as £20,000 forcing many experienced members of the profession to seek alternative employment; and calls on the newspaper industry to work with the National Union of Journalists to create a satisfactory pay structure which recognises academic qualifications, experience and dedication to the industry.

Signatures by party: Labour 31, Conservative 3, Liberal Democrat 3, UUP 1.