Standard journalists facing redundancies as company seeks to ‘reach savings targets’

A number of editorial jobs have been put at risk of redundancy at the Evening Standard.

Staff were told yesterday in an email from editor Sarah Sands that the cuts were being made "in order to reach savings targets".

A well-placed source told Press Gazette that up to 18 positions could be lost, but this figure has been denied by the company. Press Gazette understands, though, that the overall figure is greater than ten.

The Evening Standard is part of ESI Media, which also publishes The Independent, Independent on Sunday and i. The company, owned by Evgeny Lebedev, also runs the London Live television station.

A statement on behalf of ESI Media chief executive Steve Auckland said: "The Evening Standard has begun a consultation process with a small number of editorial employees whose roles might be at risk of redundancy.

"Like every business, we constantly review our operations and these planned changes will enable investment in growth areas of the Evening Standard and its distribution.

"The Evening Standard is profitable and these changes will maintain and improve that position.

"We will continue to enhance our business to provide a free quality publication to two million Londoners every day.

"We are proud that the Evening Standard is read by more people than ever with a monthly reach of 6.2 million adults and readership is growing amongst young Londoners with over half of readers aged under 35."

An email from Sands sent yesterday, and published by Guido Fawkes, said:"Unfortunately, we are having to make some editorial redundancies in order to reach savings targets. Those at risk are in the process of being informed.

"We respect confidentiality but I would ask everyone to be sensitive to the situation of valued colleagues who have done great service to the newspaper and who may be leaving us.

"Meanwhile, thank you to everyone for your professionalism and dedication to producing the best newspaper, magazine and website that we possibly can"."