covid-19: see advice in the Freelance

Print media / National newspapers

Rates for newspaper copy vary hugely and the following are decent achievable minima, mostly for what you might call "generic" stories. Exclusives and other big stories attract much higher fees. The rates for words are for their first appearance in a UK newspaper. If the publisher wants further uses, negotiate.

We updated these rates on 9 August 2021. We have new survey evidence supporting higher rates at the top of the market but, unfortunately, not enough to suggest changes in the middle.

No-one knows quite how to categorise national papers now that the Financial Times and Telegraph are the only London national broadsheets. For the moment we have gone with qualities (tongue not entirely absent from cheek) and tabloids (straight up).

The suggested rates

* Read me first!  Print media / National newspapers: advice

* See also: notes on negotiating rates for this work

* See also: reported rates, to compare: Print media / National newspapers

* Know a better rate? Tell us!

* Find a freelance

Please note that the suggested rates below are minima; that rates for copyright works are for limited licences; and that VAT is not included.

RATES: Shifts
National newspapers
category: Newspapers
Writing news: per day GBP 200.00
6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts GBP 180.00
RATES: Shifts
National newspapers
category: Newspaper supplements
6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts (weekend) GBP 200.00
Writing: per day GBP 200.00
6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts GBP 180.00

Notes:

RATES: Writing, reporting and researching
National newspapers
category: Newspapers
Page lead, tabloids - sky's the limit, rarely less than GBP 1250.00
Tip-off leading to exclusive or large spread, upward of GBP 1000.00
Splashy features for "qualities", per 1000, from GBP 800.00
Normal features for "qualities", per 1000, from GBP 500.00
Page lead, for "qualities", per 1000, from GBP 500.00
News, for "qualities", per 1000 words, from GBP 430.00
Tip-off for news, "qualities" - much more for big stories GBP 200.00
Commissioned online blog post - e.g. "Comment is Free" from GBP 110.00
Tip-off for diary - minimum GBP 50.00
RATES: Writing, reporting and researching
National newspapers
category: Newspaper supplements
Splashy features for "qualities", per 1000, from GBP 1000.00
Per 1000 words, generic GBP 600.00
Find a freelance

Browse a selection of NUJ freelances with relevant skills through the Freelance Directory:

More advice and links...
* Interest and penalty calculator and the law on late payments
* Uploaded 22/03/2323: if you have a printout, check the current version at www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide/PrNatRat.html
[www.londonfreelance.org]
* Rates for the Job good, bad and ugly
* Join the NUJ to get individual advice & representation

Text © Mike Holderness & previous contributors; Moral rights asserted. The collection (database right) © National Union of Journalists. Comments to ffg@londonfreelance.org please. You may find the glossary helpful.

The National Union of Journalists must not, can not and would not wish to dictate rates or terms of engagement to members or to editors. The information presented here is for guidance and as an aid to equitable negotiation only.

Suggestions apply to contracts governed by UK law only. In any event, nothing here should be construed as legal advice.