Mail blames slump for papers dip

The Daily Mail and General Trust blamed the tough UK economy for falling profits at its newspaper division yesterday, but said the number of mobile users viewing its MailOnline site is booming.

Pre-tax profits dropped to £46m in the six months to March against £73m as the group ran up big restructuring costs. Underlying profits before exceptional items fell 8 per cent as growth outside the UK, responsible for two-thirds of profits, failed to offset a decline in print newspaper advertising.

It said one quarter of all UK users of MailOnline now access the website and phone app on a mobile device.