AN MP has praised the Echo during a parliamentary debate.

Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point, was responding to a debate started by Labour MP Helen Goodman who represents Bishop Auckland, in Durham, about the importance of local news.

Mrs Goodman, who chairs the National Union of Journalists’ parliamentary group, praised local papers as a “public service” that needs to be supported in order to prevent them falling into decline.

Ms Harris said: “The Echo actually produces two different editions for my constituency, including a specific edition just for Canvey Island, which is incredible when we consider that it is an island of fewer than 40,000 souls.

“Moreover, a daily paper is a hungry beast—it is very stretched, and it is hard work to keep filling a daily paper.

“As a politician, people might think that I am constantly trying to get my face in the press, but actually, on several occasions I have found myself apologising that I have not given papers news stories, which is a no-brainer and would have been helpful.

“I therefore feel a responsibility, in speaking up in support of local newspapers, to remember to ensure I give them news.”

Mrs Harris also praised the Echo for the campaigns it has run, including to save Deanes School from closure, and said that papers were important to the local community.

She said: “In my experience, the value of local papers cannot be stressed enough.

“They keep democracy thriving, keep local organisations and businesses under proper scrutiny, support local charities and community groups, and provides a platform for issues and organisations that otherwise would not have one.

“Elderly residents find them incredibly important to countering the risk of loneliness and a sense of isolation.

“It would be an enormous loss if we did not have thriving local media in this country.”