MP blasts Government for turning their back on outdoor education
On the floor of the House of Commons this week, South Lakes MP Tim Farron said he was "appalled" at the Government's decision to turn their back on the outdoor education sector.
Last week, in a response from a question in Parliament from Tim, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he "cannot see why" outdoor education couldn't reopen alongside schools on March 8th and that he would get back to Tim to confirm if they could.
With just three days to go, the industry is still waiting for an answer.
Meanwhile in this week's Budget, the Chancellor failed to follow the devolved governments in Scotland and Northern Ireland in providing a specific financial support package for outdoor education centres.
Speaking during a debate on the Budget in Parliament, Tim said: "Representing a constituency that is so dependent on the outdoors and what it does for our economy, and indeed for our mental health, I am appalled that the Government have failed to follow the lead of Northern Ireland and Scotland and provide any support whatsoever for our outdoor education sector, despite the fact that the Prime Minister promised me last week that he would do so.
"We see outdoor education as an industry, with 15,000 employees, but 6,000 have already lost their jobs.
"Why can we not reopen safely so that young people can have residentials? If outdoor education centres cannot reopen, why is there not a financial package to help them, as they are vital to our future?"