Morrisons has closed its home news delivery (HND) service and is making around 1,700 young deliverers redundant after selling its newspaper rounds to News Team Group, the UK’s largest news and magazine delivery network.

The supermarket cited a "long-term decline in demand" for newspaper home delivery, which made the service "impossible to sustain" financially.

The Federation of Independent Retailers (The Fed) has expressed deep concern following the decision: “HND remains a lifeline for thousands of households across the UK, particularly elderly and vulnerable residents who rely on the daily delivery of their newspapers.”

The Fed is proud that thousands of its members continue to provide a personalised, reliable and cost-effective delivery service within their local communities, a service that is more important now than ever.

Brian Murphy, head of news at the Fed, said: “We are disappointed to hear that longstanding HND customers are being lost during this transition. Our priority now is to work with all parties to ensure orders are reinstated wherever possible, especially for elderly or infirm customers who depend on a daily newspaper for companionship, routine and connection.”

The Fed also raised serious concerns about the treatment of delivery boys and girls, many of whom were undertaking their first ever job and were reportedly given little notice or unclear information about redundancy.

“We are concerned that the young deliverers who carried out these important roles are losing what may well be their first job,” added Mr Murphy. “We call on both Morrisons and News Team Group to consider the wider impact this decision has on young people, families and the communities they serve.”

The Fed will continue to work to ensure that the value of trusted, local HND services is recognised and protected across the supply chain.

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