Unite, the UK's leading union, has today (3 March) responded to media company Reach Plc's results for 2025.

Reach Plc has said it has delivered ahead of current market expectations, increasing its adjusted operating profit by 2.4 per cent to £104.7m. While print revenue declined 4.6 percent, this year’s figure was £388.1m with Reach Plc saying this “importantly outperformed volume trends”.

Despite this, Reach is pressing ahead with closure plans for its historic Watford and Saltire, Scotland, printing sites putting around 250 jobs at risk and it is planning to outsource much of its printing.

Unite has asked for the financial reasons why the two sites have been earmarked for closure, however, Reach is refusing to share this information despite Unite being legally entitled to this information. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is completely wrong that Reach is intent on making skilled print workers redundant, especially as its financial success was built on their backs.”

Unite regional officer Jaswinder Singh said:  “The closure of both sites will have a huge effect on our dedicated members, as well as their families and the local communities. Unite will fight against these proposals every step of the way.

“Reach has questions to answer. It must give Unite the financial rationale for why it has made this decision and stop withholding this key information.”

ENDS

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org