Lake District funding cut 'threat to tourism' - Farron

A 25% fall in funding for the Lake District National Park is a threat to Cumbria's tourist economy, according to local MP Tim Farron.

Tourism, much of it centred on the national park, drew 43 million visitors to Cumbria and the Lake District in 2015. These visitors bought in £2.62 billion to the region's economy and provided employment for 35,482 full time equivalent posts. This is around 20% of the county's total employment.

However, the Lake District National Park's funding has fallen by a quarter over the last five years. In 2010/11 it received £6.9million - this had fallen to £5.2 million by 2015/16.

Tim said: "The Lake District is not only one of the most beautiful parts of the UK, it is also at the heart of Cumbria's tourist economy. Continued cuts to the Lake District National Park's funding threatens its ability to promote the area as a tourist destination. Visitors come from across the globe to visit the Lake District, but the government must not take this for granted. Thousands of local people depend for their livelihoods on the tourism to the Lake District - the government must not put this at risk through short-term cuts."