Lake District hospitality and tourism businesses will collapse without support, MP warns ministers

On the floor of the House of Commons this afternoon, local MP Tim Farron urged Government ministers to provide financial compensation for hospitality and tourism businesses in Cumbria who are facing mass cancellations because of new restrictions in the North of England.

Speaking during a debate in Parliament, Tim said: "The hospitality and tourism industry in Cumbria - comfortably our biggest employer - was very much looking forward to the half-term next week as a chance to put back some of the enormous damage that they have received as a result of this virus and to pick up their business.

"Of course, they're seeing cancellation, after cancellation, after cancellation because their neighbouring economies in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and now of course other parts of the North of England as well being put into Tier 3 and therefore people not being able to travel.

"Rather than quibbling over £5m, people in Cumbria are getting nothing, no compensation for their business collapsing at the moment.

"Will the minister commit to making sure there is support for the hospitality and tourism industry in Tier 1 places like Cumbria when our market has dried up because our neighbours are in Tier 3?"

In response, the health minister Edward Agar said: "He makes his point typically well and I recognise the impact on the hospitality industry and other businesses, not just in the directly affected area but more broadly.

"As I say, he makes his point well and I'm sure the Chancellor will have heard what he says."