MP calls for Cumbria coal mine to be put on hold after new report deems it incompatible with UK climate ambitions

South Lakes MP Tim Farron is calling for a pause on plans for a coal mine in Cumbria, after a new report undermined the case for it not having a negative effect on the environment.

A report published today from the independent thinktank Green Alliance, found that there is no evidence that the greenhouse gas emissions of the mining operations would be "broadly carbon neutral", as claimed during the planning process.

The report, entitled 'The case against new coal mines in the UK', said the plans would hold back the development of low-carbon steelmaking, by ensuring the continued availability of cheap coal.

The author of the report, Mike Berners-Lee has described the case for the coal mine as "bogus" and "totally flawed".

Commenting on the report, Tim said: "At a time when we are all working towards tackling the climate emergency, it completely boggles the mind that we are ploughing ahead with opening the UK's first deep coal mine in 30 years.

"This report should be a wakeup call to the Government that it is completely detrimental to their plans for the UK to become carbon neutral by 2050.

"We should immediately put the brakes on these plans and instead turn our focus onto how we can create thousands of new jobs in Cumbria and beyond in renewable energy."