NUJ Rate for the Job:
Shifts / news

Updated: 20 December 2017

These rates have been reported by members of the National Union of Journalists and others, and printed in the Freelance, newsletter of London Freelance Branch. They are sorted by publisher/publication, then by date (most recent first). TIP: Use the "Find in page" command under your browser's "Edit" menu to be sure of finding all occurrences of a publication/publisher. AND do note the year in which the rate was reported! See also the Freelance Fees Guide, which gives general recommendations. And read the disclaimer and the key to exactly what the entries mean.

Shifts / news Writing and editing work for national newspapers, paid by the day or the hour. Mostly sub-editing: checking and proofreading copy and making it fit the house style and design. (Actual publication/programme names appear before publishers and generic rates. The 'extras' column is irrelevant for subbing shifts.) Completists may want to see the older rates for some publications listed here. See also regional newspapers.
Tell us what you've been paid for Shifts / news		Freelance Fees Guide
Publication / Programme - details & terms	Group	Year		Basic fee	Extras	GR	XXXX
Africa Report subbing day		2013		180			O
Asahi Shimbun research half day		2012		100
Asahi Shimbun research day		2012		200
Azzaman (Azzaman Arabic Newspapers) research/writing day		2002		100
Computer Weekly (TechTarget, Inc.) subbing day	__misc	2013		150
Daily Express News subbing 6 hrs	_NS	2002		118
Daily Express Saturday mag subbing day	_NS	2002		130
Daily Express subbing 6am-7pm	_UM	1997		230	-
Daily Mail reporting day on diary column taxed at source	_Assoc	2017		150			XX
Daily Mail picture editing day self-billing and PAYE	_Assoc	2016		150		GR
Daily Mail 6-hour subbing day	_Assoc	2015		130			X
Daily Mail subbing day (6 hours)	_Assoc	2014		130			XX
Daily Mail subbing day (6 hours)	_Assoc	2014		130			XX
Daily Mail editorial assistant day	_Assoc	2010		100
Daily Mail online subbing/writing day	_Assoc	2009		100		GR	XXX
Daily Mail subbing	_Assoc	2006		100			XX
Daily Mail research (specialised financial) per day	_Assoc	2004		700			O
Daily Mail foreign reporting half day	_Assoc	2003		150
Daily Mail foreign reporting day	_Assoc	2003		250
Daily Mail online reporting day: all expenses for out of town jobs paid including subsistence and travel	_Metro	2014		400		GR
Daily Mail online reporting day: all expenses for out of town jobs paid including subsistence and travel	_Metro	2014		400		GR
Daily Mirror 9am to 5pm Sunday reporting day	_TMG	2015		185		GR
Daily Mirror subbing day, 7 hours Monday to Friday, gross rate (but pay taxed at source)	_TMG	2014		157.27		GR
Daily Mirror subbing day, 7 hours Sunday, gross rate (but pay taxed at source)	_TMG	2014		188.68		GR
Daily Mirror news reporting day - Sunday	_TMG	2012		150
Daily Mirror news subbing day	_TMG	2006		132
Daily Mirror Belfast Centre newsdesk Shift 4pm-midnight	_TMG	2005		80			X
Daily Mirror reporting shift	_TMG	2004		100			X
Daily Mirror subbing day	_TMG	1997		175	-
Daily Star Online online reporting day - sourcing, writing and publishing stories and photos; typical 9am to 5pm weekend shift but staffer shifts are rota'd 7am to 3pm or 3pm to 11pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm or 3pm to 11pm at weekends	_NS	2015		118		GR	XXX
Daily Star subbing day (10am to 6pm weekday / 9am to 5pm weekend)	_NS	2015		118		GR	XXX
Daily Telegraph subbing day (8h)	_BarcB	2015		135
Daily Telegraph sports desk subbing shift - Boxing Day and New Year's Day - no extra on normal rate!	_BarcB	2008		139.05		GR	XX
Daily Telegraph City desk subbing day paid time off on top, separate claim required	_BarcB	2006		127.31
Daily Telegraph foreign desk shift	_BarcB	2004		133.90
Daily Telegraph news/foreign desk shift	_Holl	2003		130
Daily Telegraph sports desk shift	_Holl	2002		110
Daily Telegraph subbing day	_Holl	2002		135
Evening Herald (Ireland) subbing, 7:30am to 2:30pm taxed at source	_INM	2006		236		HA	O
Evening Standard video editing shift	_Lebedev	2017		90		GR	XXXX
Evening Standard Video editing day - 9 hours, 10:30am-19:30pm	_Lebedev	2017		90		GR	XXX
Evening Standard subbing day	_Assoc	1997		100	-		X
Evening Standard Life + Style uploader day	_Lebedev	2014		80			XX
Evening Standard Life + Style uploader day	_Lebedev	2014		80			XX
Express on Sunday reporting Saturday night	_UM	1998		140	-
Express subbing day	_NS	2009		138			X
Express newspapers subbing day (six at Broughton)	_NS	2013		128			X
Financial News Subbing day	_LFNP	2001		120
Financial Times subbing day, 11am-7pm	_Nikkei	2016		155
Financial Times 7-hour subbing day	_Nikkei	2015		160			O
Financial Times 8-hour subbing day	_Nikkei	2015		130			X
Financial Times Weekend subbing day	_Pearson	2002		150
Financial Times feature writing FBS		2001		200
Financial Times feature writing per day no all rights demands - and paid rapidly!	_Pearson	2000		200
Gizmodo reporting day (offer refused)	_Future	2017		80			XXX
Greenwich subbing day no holiday pay; not taxed at source		2013		150
Guardian subbing day (7h)	_GMG	2015		185
Guardian subbing day, 7 hours	_GMG	2013		180		HA
Guardian IPad uploader 6-hour day	_GMG	2013		72.13
Guardian subbing day (house agreement: 11.7% paid time off, on top)	_GMG	2012		180.24		HA
Guardian edit special, day	_GMG	2005		250
Guardian casual shift (subbing?)	_GMG	2016		120			X
Guardian i-Pad desk	_GMG	2014		100
Guardian i-Pad desk	_GMG	2014		100
Herald (Glasgow) subbing day	_NQ	2013		115
Hurriyet (Turkish daily) gathering news and photos per week (OK rate for Turkey)		2007		200
i newspaper Subbing shift 14.15 to 21.30	_Johnsto	2017		140		GR
i newspaper editing day - 8 hours	_Johnsto	2016		150
Independent on Sunday Review subbing, writing and commissioning day PAYE, all rights taken	_INM	2006		135		GR	X
Independent on Sunday reporter day/night reporter	_Lebedev	2010		145		GR
Independent on Sunday Review mag subbing day	_INM	2006		133.25
Independent online reporting day	_Lebedev	2015		85			XXXX
Independent subbing day	_INM	2008		130
Independent subbing day	_INM	2008		120			XX
Independent 8 hour reporting shift day/night taxed at source, taxi fare home after night shift	_INM	2008		138
Independent day subbing advertorial taxed at source	_INM	2006		120			XX
Independent day subbing website	_INM	2006		120			X
Independent sports/features subbing day - agreed minimum	_INM	2003		102.50		HA
Independent news subbing day - late shifts	_INM	2003		112.75
Independent subbing day	_INM	2003		102.50		HA	X
International Business Times (IBT media) news day		2016		150
International Business Times IBtimes.co.uk subbing day - 7 hrs		2014		120			X
International Business Times IBtimes.co.uk subbing day - 7 hrs		2014		120			X
Investors Chronicle 7-hour subbing day	_Nikkei	2015		160
Irish Daily Mail subbing day	_Assoc	2013		180
Irish Daily Mail reporting day	_Assoc	2013		160
Irish Daily Mail half day court reporting First Irish Serial rights + web	_Assoc	2013		80		GR
Irish Examiner Full day shift	_Crosbie	2007		114.28		HA	X
Irish News Belfast subbing shift	_Inews	2001		55		GR	XX
Irish News Belfast reporting shift	_Inews	2001		51.50		GR	XX
Irish Post (Loot Ltd) subbing day, 9 hours Monday, gross rate		2014		135		GR
Irish Post (Loot Ltd) subbing day, 8 hours Tuesday to Friday, gross rate	_VNU	2014		120		GR	XX
Irish Times day news shift	_ITtrust	2007		280
Irish Times foreign news feature terms not discussed, but they also ran piece on their website	_ITtrust	2001		80			XX
Jewish Chronicle subbing day		2010		120			X
Lloyd's List subbing day	_Informa	2002		120			X
Mail on Sunday editorial day	_Assoc	2014		100			XX^7
Mail on Sunday Scottish edition, saturday reporting shift	_Assoc	2004		100			XX
Mail on Sunday reporting day	_Assoc	2003		200
Mail on Sunday reporting Saturday night	_Assoc	1998		140	-
Mail on Sunday Double Saturday shift	_Assoc	1998		300	-
Mail on Sunday 8hrs subbing	_Assoc	1998		141	-
Mail Online subbing/writing day 8 hours	_Assoc	2017		120		GR	XXX
Mail Online subbing day, 9 hours, including night shifts	_Assoc	2015		100		GR	XXXX
Metro subbing day (9 hours with one-hour lunch)	_Assoc	2017		100			XXXX
Metro subbing day (9 hours with one-hour lunch)	_Assoc	2017		100			XXXX
Metro reporting day	_Assoc	2011		120		GR	XX
Metro reporting day	_Assoc	2011		120		GR	XX
Metro Dublin office reporting shift	_Assoc	2005		160
Metro 8 hour day shift - feature writing, reviewing, sourcing and captioning photographs taxed at source, all reproduction rights across metro editions and online use	_Assoc	2004		60	0	GR	XXXX
Mirror online subbing day, 8 hours - worrying! taxed at source	_TMG	2015		100		GR	XXXX
Morning Star subbing day		2010		45		GR	X
News Letter N Ireland reporting day	_Johnsto	2013		74			XX
News Letter, Belfast subbing, reporting shift	_TMG	2001		55		GR	X
News of the World subbing double shift Saturday (10am-8.30pm) hot/buffet lunch provided gratis	_NI	2006		329.80			O
News of the World subbing double shift Friday (10.30am-9pm) one and a half hours for lunch	_NI	2006		271.70
News of the World subbing single shifts (Tuesday-Thursday)	_NI	2006		145.85
News of the World Sunday magazine - 4 days a week writing	_NI	2002		115			XX
News of the World subbing day	_NI	2002		125			X
News of The World weekend subbing 12 hours (taxed at source)	_NI	2002		245			O
News of the World news subbing double-shift (12 hours inclusive of lunch and one-hour evening meal break)	_NI	2001		290
Observer magazine subbing day (7 hrs) taxed at source	_GMG	2017		190
Observer subbing day, 8 hours	_GMG	2013		229
Observer subbing day, 7 hours	_GMG	2013		205
Observer subbing day	_GMG	2009		175
Observer Magazine subbing shift taxed at source	_GMG	2004		155			O
Observer subbing gross amount, taxed at source	_GMG	2004		157
Presseurop subbing day		2013		133
Racing Post sports desk shift	_TMG	2002		100			X
Radio Times subbing day	_Immed	2017		120			XXX
Radio Times subbing day in 2013 - any update?	_Immed	2014		120			X
Radio Times subbing day in 2013 - any update?	_Immed	2014		120			X
Radio Times (Immediate Media) subbing day	_Immed	2013		176.93			X
Scotland on Sunday subbing 10am to 6pm with an hour's break	_Johnsto	2008		105		GR	X
Scotsman subbing shift 4pm to midnight with one hour's break	_Johnsto	2006		95			X
Scotsman sports subbing shift 4.30pm to 11.30pm with 1/2hr break	_Johnsto	2006		95			X
Scotsman reporting shift, 11am-7pm	_BarcB	2005		80			X
Scottish Daily Mail drawing pages and retouching photos	_Assoc	2008		70			XXX
Sloane Square subbing day no holiday pay; not taxed at source		2013		150
Sun subbing day not taxed at source	_NI	2017		165
Sun subbing day - 8 hours per night	_NI	2016		120			XXX
Sun six-hour news feature subbing shift	_NI	2014		155.70			O
Sun Sun Online subbing day	_NI	2008		130		GR
Sun news reporting per day, taxed at source	_NI	2006		102.84			XXX
Sun days - since September	_NI	2006		100			XXX
Sun subbing day taxed at source	_NI	2006		162.40
Sun features desk subbing day	_NI	2002		130
Sunday Express night reporting shift	_NS	2008		160
Sunday Express Saturday news shift	_NS	2008		147
Sunday Express graveyard subbing shift	_NS	2008		160
Sunday Express subbing day	_UM	1996		100	-		X
Sunday Herald weekday subbing	_NQ	2009		93
Sunday Herald news subbing Saturday	_NQ	2009		112.75		GR
Sunday Herald subbing (weekday), 10am-6pm, 1hr break	_NQ	2009		95		GR	XXX
Sunday Herald subbing (Saturday), 11am-7pm/1.30pm-9.30pm/5pm-1am, 1hr break	_NQ	2009		95		GR	XXX
Sunday Mirror reporting day	_TMG	2011		150
Sunday Mirror 8hr Saturday reporting shift	_TMG	2008		150
Sunday Mirror subbing day	_TMG	2002		90			XX
Sunday Mirror subbing, 8-10 hrs	_TMG	2002		125			X
Sunday Mirror subbing Saturday	_TMG	1999		120	-
Sunday People reporting day	_TMG	2009		150
Sunday People one shift	_TMG	2007		100			XX
Sunday People reporting Saturday night	_TMG	1998		115	-		X
Sunday Telegraph reporting day	_BarcB	2006		130			X
Sunday Telegraph subbing day	_Holl	1996		125	-
Sunday Telegraph reporting half-day	_Holl	1996		100	-
Sunday Times 5pm to 2am night reporting shift , prod/exes 20 £20 taxi allowance bumps claimed shift rate up to... £200	_NI	2015		180		GR	O
Sunday Times subbing day "but they are paying new staff less"	_NI	2014		176.93
Sunday Times subbing day "but they are paying new staff less"	_NI	2014		176.93
Sunday Times subbing day - rate unchanged for 6 years	_NI	2013		176.60
Sunday Times subbing day for print or revise-editing for website, 8 hours	_NI	2013		174.60		GR
Sunday Times print subbing on regional or national desk; expenses up to £15 for taxis if working in small hours	_NI	2012		174.40
Sunday Times overnight reporting ('day')	_NI	2011		200
Sunday Times subbing shift, national desk, basic, per hour	_NI	2007		20.45		GR
Sunday Times two-week investigation	_NI	2006		2500			O
Sunday Times subbing day	_NI	2006		159.75		GR	O
Sunday Times subbing day	_NI	2006		156
Sunday Times subbing, per hour	_NI	2002		18.50
Sunday Times regional news subbing shift	_NI	2001		148		GR
Sunday Times reporting day	_NI	2001		400			O
Sunday Times leisure supplements subbing day	_NI	2013		176.93			X
Sunday Times supplements subbing day (plus holiday pay)	_NI	2012		144			X
Telegraph subbing day, 8 hours	_BarcB	2017		150			X
Telegraph supplements subbing day (7hrs) paid time off on top	_BarcB	2017		150
The Independent website news shift	_INM	2016		150
The Independent website news day	_INM	2016		95			XXX
The Mirror - special projects subbing, writing day		2016		165			O
The People 8hr Saturday reporting shift	_TMG	2008		100			XXXX
The Scotsman subbing (news) 5pm-1am, one hour break	_Johnsto	2009		95		GR	XXX
The Times subbing day	_NI	2015		150
The Times subbing day	_NI	2014		175
The Times subbing day	_NI	2014		175
The Times subbing night-shift for print, web and tablets combined - 7 hours 45 mins 1 hour break finishing after midnight; includes £15 supplement over similar-length day shift	_NI	2013		170		GR	O
The Times subbing for iPad/tablets, sxpenses up to £15 for taxis if working in small hours	_NI	2012		155.97
Times subbing day for print, web and tablets combined	_NI	2013		155.97
Times Helmand (Afghanistan) embed with armed forces, 10 days, plus exes	_NI	2012		2000
Times sport subbing day - 6 hrs 15 mins with a break	_NI	2009		125.78		GR
Times cricket reporting day (+ measly 27p per mile)	_NI	2008		130
Times features subbing day plus holiday pay when accrued	_NI	2006		140.82		GR
Times picture research day	_NI	2005		127
Times cricket reporting day + exes	_NI	2004		120
Times Magazine subbing shift taxed at source	_NI	2004		133
Times Weekend section subbing day	_NI	2002		130
Times sports desk shift	_NI	2002		130
Times Online reporting day	_NI	2007		130		GR	X
Times Saturday Magazine subbing day - agreed by staff association, incremental annual rise due but 'long since run out'	_NI	2013		155.97
You (Mail on Sunday mag) Subbing day	_Assoc	1998		123	-
Associated Press long production day - 11 hours	_AP	2015		242
BBC web producer day	_BBC	2008		250
BBC Five Live "phone hit"	_BBC	2016		150
BBC News Online 10 hour reporting shift	_BBC	2003		140		HA
BBC News website reporting day	_BBC	2016		192			X
BBC News website subbing or reporting day (10 hours)	_BBC	2016		204			X
BBC News website reporting day	_BBC			192			XX
BBC online reporting shift (overnight)	_BBC	2007		205
BBC online reporting shift	_BBC	2007		151
BBC Panorama day video research web licence	_BBC	2007		75.10			XXX
BBC Radio day (unspecified task)	_BBC	2016		150
BBC radio newsroom news writing day (10 hours) - says here £30 holiday pay -	_BBC	2012		180
BBC Radio Newsroom - R2, R3, R4, 6Music news writing day	_BBC	2013		217		GR
BBC website subbing day	_BBC	2007		140
BBC World Service/Radio 4 unspecified day	_BBC	2010		185
Central News Covering court and other legal hearings in London, per day, typically 9.30am to about 5.30pm. No expenses		2011		60		GR	XXXX
Channel 4 News online news shift (8-9 hrs)	_C4	2007		145
Channel 4 News website subbing shift	_ITN	2005		140
Channel 4 news online Writing/reporting shift	_C4	2006		155
CNN.com Writing day		2013		180		GR
Express Group Newspapers unspecified day	_NS	2011		135
Fleetline news agency 10am - 4pm at coroner's court		2003		55			XXXX
France 24 channel "skype hit"		2016		100
Guardian online Online batch tagging day - 7 hours	_GMG	2014		100	0		XXX
Guardian online Online batch tagging day - 7 hours	_GMG	2014		100	0		XXX
guardian.co.uk video editing day	_GMG	2013		225			X
IBtimes.co.uk (The International Business Times Inc) subbing day		2013		125			X
INS news agency reporting shift		2004		65		GR	XXXX
ISF agency shift		2001		90
ITN News producer / director day	_ITN	2010		322
metro.co.uk Lifestyle reporting day, 9 hour shift, one hour lunch	_Metro	2017		100		GR	XXX
MSN news (online) 8-hour subbing day		2015		170
National newspaper 8-hour subbing day		2009		180
PA Sport saturday subbing and layout shift 6 hours	_PA	2008		85			XXXX
Press Association subbing	_PA	2001		95
Reuters reporting day	_Reuter	2011		217
Reuters online editing shift	_Reuter	2009		220			O
Reuters web editing/writing day shift - same rate as 2007	_Reuter	2008		145		GR
Reuters Alertnet writing day, and editing on content management system	_Reuter	2007		145			X
RTE News 8 hour reporting day	_RTE	2013		150		GR
RTE online/teletext shift	_RTE	2006		140.08		GR
Sky News 10-hour producer day	_BSkyB	2013		210		GR
Sky News Online writing, 10 hr day	_BSkyB	2009		150			X
supplements for German papers and magazines (Capital etc.) foreign language subbing (German), per day in-house, 7 hours		2001		140		GR
Time Inc 7-hour subbing day	_AOLTW	2015		130
Time Inc 7-hour subbing day	_AOLTW	2015		100			XXX
Undisclosed client Data Journalist - day	_TMG	2014		275			O
Undisclosed client Data Journalist - day	_TMG	2014		275			O
The above are the rates for Shifts / news notified by members up to 20 December 2017.
Key to the rates, by column:
1 Publication / Programme, any details of work and licence
2 Owner at the time the rate was reported, where known	Group
3 The year in which the rate was reported		Year
4 Currency: either or
5 Amount paid for basic licence - e.g. first use in print:				Basic fee
6 Paid for extra licences - web use, database resale... (no data pre Jun 2000)				...	Extras
7 "Going Rate" according to experienced NUJ members - do try to better it:				...	...	GR
or Minimum rate set out in NUJ House Agreement (more will be made soon):				...	...	HA
8 Underpaid, in the fallible opinion of the Freelance editor:				50	0		X
or Just sometimes we're pleasantly surprised:				1500	300		O

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