CUMBRIAN MP WELCOMES PLANS TO TACKLE HOSPITALITY STAFFING CRISIS

This morning, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has welcomed reports that the Government are seeking agreements with European countries for Youth Mobility Visas to tackle the hospitality staffing crisis.

Tim has campaigned in favour of this for a number of years as a result of the challenges faced by Cumbrian employers to recruit staff. Tim has met with three Immigration Ministers within the last two years to impress upon them the importance of the scheme to the local economy.

The recruitment crisis has hit Cumbria's hospitality industry particularly hard, and Tim has met with multiple hospitality leaders in the area to discuss the issue. In recent research conducted by Cumbria Tourism 86% of businesses in the area say they are struggling to recruit staff with 59% of those reporting it as a serious concern.

Sadly, many businesses in the area have been forced to close due to a struggle in recruiting workers. Cumbria has a relatively low unemployment rate and a much smaller working age population but recent attempts by employers to attract young staff has not resolved their staffing crisis.

Speaking this morning, Tim said: "I greatly welcome any movement by the Government to reintroduce the Youth Mobility Scheme as it would go a long way to solving the staffing crisis we are experiencing in Cumbria.

"Migration would only be part of the solution for Cumbria. We need to have more affordable rental accommodation and better vocational qualifications - like the T-level in catering - to truly solve the issue.

"I very much hope that Government Ministers will provide an update to me, and the public, on these negotiations and that they are consulting Cumbrian employers when developing these schemes."