THE Redditch Advertiser received a name check at a Westminster Hall debate from town MP Karen Lumley, during a discussion about protecting local newspapers.

Burton MP Andrew Griffiths, who secured the debate on Wednesday, November 5 opened by saying how MPs recognised the value and contribution a local newspaper makes to the people they serve.

And he quoted from Lord Justice Leveson’s report, where he stated that the government “should look urgently as what action it might be able to take to help safeguard the ongoing viability of this much valued and important part of the British press.

“It is clear to me that local, high-quality and trusted newspapers are good for our communities, our identity and our democracy and play an important social role.”

And the report went on to state that many local and regional newspapers were under “enormous pressure to strive to re-write the business model necessary for survival”. And that their demise would be a “huge setback for communities (where they report on local politics, occurrences in the local courts, local events, local sports and the like) and would be a real loss for our democracy.”

After another MP was awarded “the prize for being the first member to mention his local newspaper” by Mr Griffiths, Mrs Lumley addressed fellow MPs, saying that she “obviously” had to mention the Redditch Advertiser and the Redditch Standard.

And continued that her constituency employed “local journalists with great knowledge of the area“ and cited the battle to save services at the Alex, where the two local papers had allowed people to have their say.

She went on to add that if MPs are serious about local democracy and keeping it, then they must help keep their local press.

Mr Griffiths replied that he was sure his “hon Friend appears regularly in her local newspapers because she makes important contributions such as that”.