Government plans will cost Cumbria millions - Farron
Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has warned that the area is projected to lose an estimated £21million of funding under Government proposals set out by the Chancellor.
Cumbria risks losing up to half of its allocated EU funding under government plans unveiled this week, despite the Leave campaign promising during the referendum that all regional funding would be replaced.
Chancellor Philip Hammond announced this week that any projects that apply for EU funding after the Autumn Statement would have to meet as yet unspecified conditions to show they "meet UK priorities" and are "value for money." This confirms that any remaining funding that has not been allocated by the statement on 23rd November will not be guaranteed.
Figures presented to the Local Government Association show that so far Cumbria has received just £3.8m from the European Regional Development Fund, less than a tenth of the £42 million funding the area was promised for the period 2014 - 2020.
The LGA has warned it expects only around half of projects across the UK to be confirmed before the Autumn statement deadline, meaning Cumbria risks missing out on millions of pounds of crucial funding.
Tim said: "These plans could see up to half the funding promised to Cumbria being clawed back by the government with a stroke of the pen.
"It is utterly unacceptable for the government to use Brexit as a way to slash vital local funding for infrastructure, businesses and apprenticeships.
"Instead of vague statements and conditions, the Chancellor must give a cast-iron guarantee that every pound of funding Cumbria was allocated will be delivered."