On the day that newsawards 2020 was due to take place at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel in front of an industry gathering of 500-plus news media folk, supply industry executives and guests, the Government has praised the vital role of regional newspapers in serving their communities.

Speaking on behalf of the Government, Communities secretary Robert Jenrick, taking the daily Coronavirus briefing from Downing Street, urged everyone to go out and buy a newspaper.

Today’s briefing was also devoted to questions from regional news media, including the Derby Telegraph, Cornwall Live and the Western Morning News, BBC West Midlands and BBC Yorkshire and ITV Tyne Tees.