Ms Deirdre Veldon:

To understand exactly what additionality translates to in reality when trying to make these schemes work, the impact on our PNLs is neutral and the impact on our output is marginally increased. We are in a situation where we are looking at everything we do and questioning it to try to decide what to stop doing because we cannot afford to keep everything. To find ourselves in a situation where we are being effectively corralled into coverage of a particular type is in some ways an assault on our editorial independence and ability to select what we want and need to do. The requirements to backfill positions for people who might be filled internally to work on projects is hugely onerous and virtually impossible for us to work. In addition, all those contracts are 12-month contracts. We are finding as employers with an obligation that is mounting every month that goes by to individuals and at the end of that time, we will have no certainty about what will happen.