FT signs Deloitte to back Budget freesheet

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 07-Mar-08, 11:00

LONDON - The Financial Times has signed up accountancy firm Deloitte to sponsor its Budget special report, which will be distributed free within London just hours after the chancellor's speech next Wednesday.

The newspaper will be handed out at strategic commuter points in the City, including Bank, London Bridge, Liverpool Street, Cannon Street and Fleet Street.

It will have a print run of between 40,000 and 45,000. It will be ready by 5pm and will focus on the key issues resulting from Alistair Darling's Budget overview.

It is understood that the FT, which this week broke the story that Darling's Budget would introduce a "gold standard" kitemark for the safest UK mortgage loans, is planning additional special coverage through its online arm FT.com.

Yesterday, the FT announced it was planning to offer free access to its FT.com website to under-graduate and post-graduate students.