IF YOU are new to reading the Morning Star a little background on what the Reach for the Star campaign is. 

It’s all about survival of this paper. Getting the finances onto a secure footing so that we can continue to provide the left perspective that is required as an antidote to other media.

We are the only national daily newspaper of the left and it was gratifying to hear at the paper’s recent AGM a commitment from the editor that the printed edition will continue to be produced under his leadership along with our ever-expanding digital platform. 

Increased sales of both the printed and digital platforms are key to our survival and that is why Reach for the Star is so critical.  

The need to raise our sales of the paper are twofold. We have a unique perspective that needs to be read and understood by working people. 

The more people reading the paper the more income raised to pay our bills.

The cost-of-living crisis that we are protesting about today is affecting our business as much as it is affecting you personally.  

Last year we closed our offices down in east London and moved to much smaller premises in Croydon, a cost-saving decision.

However, we are not immune to the pressures on our staff’s own income and the saving in rent has enabled us to give a pay rise this year. 

I am sure that all non-profit organisations like ours are all juggling to do the best for their staff while balancing the books.  

The paper industry itself has been hit hard over the last two years — first, by the Covid pandemic which led to a drop in newspaper sales and then the newspaper plants converting from producing paper to cardboard. With many people ordering their shopping online during the pandemic manufacturers changed to producing cardboard as the profit is higher. 

In November 2021 came increased energy prices and although our printer has tried to protect us, some of the additional surcharges have been passed on with this year our printing charges rising by 15 per cent. 

Today you might be reading the Morning Star for the first time. If this is the case and you have enjoyed it place a regular order to buy it at least once a week. 

There will many today who will say “I didn’t know the Morning Star was still published.”

Well, here we are 92 years after we first came out and, again, I ask you go out and buy a copy regularly. 

If you want a regular delivery contact NewsTeam, ask in your local McColl’s shops or if you prefer visit the subscription page for more details of the digital edition.

Sign up for home news delivery at www.newsteamgroup.co.uk/morningstar subscribe digitally at www.morningstaronline.co.uk/subscribe.