The takeover of the Express and Star newspapers by Reach, the publisher formerly known as Trinity Mirror, has been waved through by the Government, clearing the way for sharp cost-cutting.
Matt Hancock, the Culture Secretary, said he would not refer the deal, agreed in February, for a full investigation after receiving advice from Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
The media regulator had been asked to assess whether the takeover of two right-wing titles by the publisher of the left-leaning Daily Mirror would lead to less political choice for readers or restrict free expression. Ofcom found no such threat, Mr Hancock said.
Competition authorities, which in more lucrative...