The Guardian is to cut 250 jobs, including 100 editorial roles.

Guardian Media Group announced it is to restructure the company in order to break even within three years.

Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief, and David Pemsel, chief executive, said in an email to staff that the “volatile media environment” had led to an “urgent need for radical action”. They said they hoped the cuts would be voluntary and compulsory redundancies would be considered only if necessary.

Brian Williams, Guardian NUJ father of the chapel, said:

“We are encouraged by the fact the company is seeking voluntary redundancies and is looking to mitigate potential job losses by finding other cost-cutting measures.”

In total, 100 jobs are earmarked to be cut from the 725 editorial workforce at the Guardian and Observer and 150 from other departments. Costs will be further cut by occupying less space at Kings Place, in King's Cross, and the shelving of a plan to create a cultural venue in a former goods shed.



The statement from Kath Viner said:

"These proposals form the basis of a collective consultation process. We have elected employee representatives and have in place NUJ and Unite representatives across the organisation.

"A meeting was held earlier today with these representatives, marking the start of that collective consultation process, which we currently envisage will take at least eight weeks.

"While we are confident these proposals will make a significant contribution to our target of reducing our current cost base by 20 per cent, we will continue to take the necessary action to manage our cost base and sustained market volatility in order to protect our journalism in perpetuity."

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said:

"This is a major blow for the staff of the Guardian and Observer and for journalism as a whole. We will oppose any compulsory redundancies. This news together with the loss of jobs as the Independent newspapers fold presents a very worrying situation for the future of newspapers."