A story in Torquay’s Herald Express was the subject of an Early Day Motion in Parliament. Wolverhampton North East MP Ken Purchase called on the house to condemn comments made by Totnes MP Anthony Steen, in an Express story on possible new council housing legislation.
The MP claimed that Mr Steen said the estates were “hotbeds of crime” and called the plans a “retrograde step”.

The National Union of Journalists is hosting a screenwriting roadshow next month. It will be in Belfast on January 9 and 12, Dublin on January 19 and 21 and Manchester on January 25 and 26.
It costs £105 to NUJ members – for information e-mail [email protected] or call 0207 843 3717.

Manchester Magazine has been relaunched as ONEManchester. Publisher Salutions has decided to go it alone after funding for Manchester Magazine was withdrawn. The quarterly title looks at fashion and culture in the city.

Cardiff University’s School of Journalism is hosting its annual conference next month. The event, running from January 9 to 11, is organised by the Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association.
Guest speakers already signed up include Toby Millar, from the University of California, and Guardian columnist George Monbiot.

The Express and Echo, in Exeter, has added another big political name to its campaign to reduce plastic bag usage.
Cabinet minister Hilary Benn has highlighted the Green Shoppers initiative and its role in drumming up public support. Last month Prime Minister Gordon Brown signed a pledge backing the campaign.

The NCTJ’s communications manager is moving on to pastures new. Laura Garbas, who has been with the Council for two years, will leave next month to become marketing manager for the Prince’s Trust, in London.