The Times, founded in 1785 as the Daily Universal Register, is the oldest national daily newspaper in the UK and holds an important place as the “paper of record” on public life, from politics and world affairs to business and sport. The Times and Sunday Times have unrivalled specialists in science, health, education, environment and social affairs. While their well-connected teams of political reporters provide unique insight into the workings of Westminster and Whitehall, their royal correspondents combine authority with a record of delivering scoops that are followed by media around the world. The Times continues to innovate and to campaign for change. The Times Education Commission was a year-long project to examine every aspect of Britain’s education system and produce proposals for reform. Its recommendations were welcomed and endorsed across the political spectrum. The Times Health Commission, which published its report in February 2024, aims to do the same for health. The paper’s campaigns for clean air, clean water and safer cycling have all helped to effect real change. The Sunday Times was founded in 1822 as a separate newspaper and has a history of innovation stretching from a female proprietor in 1887 and a female editor in 1894, through to pioneering the publication of large illustrations, book serialisations, separate sections and the first colour magazine supplement in 1962. The Sunday Times supported Leave in the 2016 EU referendum.

Key experts

James Hurley