Fresh from attending the launch of the UK Digital Retail Innovation Centre, the government minister for Digital and Creative Industries made a beeline to the Punchline offices.

Margot James MP spoke to one news outlet during her day in Gloucestershire, and that was to Punchline-Gloucester.com.

The full interview, covering subjects from the vital role of the press in holding democracy to account to the challenges faced by digital growth on publishing will appear in July's Punchline Magazine.

MP for Stourbridge in Worcestershire since 2010, Ms James has held posts in the Whips Office and as a undersecretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy before promotion last year.

Prime Minister Theresa May appointed her to the role of Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries in January of 2018, a role she still serves in today.

She came to Gloucester to see the launch of UK:DRIC, a nationwide hub for innovation and research in an area that is vital to the British economy,

Speaking exclusively to Punchline, Ms James said: "Gloucester has been focussed on enabling the retail trade and high street to flourish in the digital era by embracing digital.

"UK:DRIC is a really good innovation and one that has been very well thought-out here in Gloucester.

"It is testimony to the Local Enterprise Partnership and the work of the retail trade here, that Gloucester was chosen.

"It's a national resource, but it's being sited in Gloucester. But because of what has gone before. It's building on work that has already been done."

Ms James also spoke in depth about the future of local journalism and the "vital role it plays in local democracy" and the challenges publishers face at the hands of Google and Facebook.

Regulation of social media platforms and of the advertising stronghold google currently have, was also on the agenda in an in-depth discussion that covered a wide range of subjects.

Mark Owen, editor of Punchline-Gloucester.com said: "It was an honour and a pleasure to host Margot James MP and show her what Punchline is all about.

"We are in an era when the digital sector is taking charge over institutions such as the High Street and the media, so it was fascinating to hear the thoughts of minister in charge of those areas.

"Our Gloucester MP Richard Graham has always championed the Gloucestershire business community and it was great to see a member of the current government doing that as well."

The full interview with Margot James MP, minister for digital and the creative industries will appear in July's edition of Punchline Magazine.