Striking journalists have warned the regional press risks becoming the preserve of those who can be “subsidised by their parents or partners” as they prepare to walk out in a pay dispute.

Members of the National Union of Journalists at National World have issued the warning ahead of the first of three 24-hour strikes that are due to begin on Monday.

The union is urging National World to offer an improved pay package, uplifts to minimum rates and efforts to improve pay disparities after talks between the two parties hosted by conciliation service ACAS collapsed earlier this summer.

NUJ members at the group had repeatedly rejected a proposed 4.5pc pay increase.

Ahead of Monday’s strike, an NUJ National World group chapel spokesperson said: “This the first time that there’s been this kind of company-wide industrial action on any issue at National World – or its predecessors – and it’s a reflection of just how much many of our members are struggling.

“The real terms pay cut imposed by the company simply doesn’t do enough to recognise the hard work of our members or the impacts of the cost of living crisis.

“It also fails to address pay disparities and low rates of pay that mean some of our trainee reporters – many of whom completed degrees just to get a foot in the door – are now having to take on second jobs to make ends meet.

“Local journalism shouldn’t only be an option for those who can be subsidised by their parents or partners.

“This is a company that says it has healthy cash reserves and is in a position to invest, so why won’t it invest in ensuring its own staff can afford to stay in their jobs?”

Further strike action is due to take place next Friday and the following Monday, with more than 300 journalists slated to take part.

The issue was raised in the House of Commons yesterday by Labour’s Leeds East MP Richard Burgon, pictured, whose constituency is served by National World titles including the Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post.

He asked Leader of the Commons Penny Mordaunt, whose Portsmouth North constituency is also served by a National World daily in the form of the Portsmouth News, if she would grant a debate on the sustainability of local newspapers.

Addressing Ms Mordaunt, he said: “Does she share my concerns about the danger posed by owners such as National World hollowing out titles in order to boost short-term profits, prioritising shareholder payouts over journalists’ ability to afford to do their jobs, and cutting staffing to unsustainable levels?”

In reply, Ms Mordaunt said: “The honourable gentleman mentions my local titles; in my experience, the editors of these papers take very seriously indeed not only their responsibilities to journalists and those in their employ, but their obligations to the community.”

National World has previously accused the NUJ of showing no “flexibility” in negotations and claimed to its journalists that the action could put some of its titles’ futures at risk.

HTFP has approached the company for further comment.