MP calls for new visa to fix staff shortage crisis in Lake District hospitality sector

Local MP Tim Farron has written to the Home Secretary Priti Patel, urging her to introduce a new visa to fix the crisis in staff shortages across the Lake District hospitality and tourism industry.

New Research from Cumbria Tourism revealed that in April, 34% of businesses were concerned about recruiting staff due to factors including staff moving on during the pandemic, post-Brexit immigration policy changes, current travel restrictions and many businesses hiring at the same time.

Tim has asked for a meeting with the immigration minister Kevin Foster to discuss the impact that the Government's stricter immigration rules are having on the Lake District economy.

Tim is also encouraging local businesses to take part in a survey from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Migration about the impact of the new immigration rules which can be found here https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/appgmigrationinquiry

Tim said: "Two years ago I led a delegation of Lake District hospitality businesses to meet with the immigration minister to raise our concerns about the devastating impact that the Government's proposed immigration plans could have on our local economy.

"The Government failed to listen and now businesses left, right and centre are telling me that they can't find staff to reopen fully.

"If our economy is to recover from this pandemic, then we desperately need these businesses to be firing on all cylinders - not struggling to operate because of the Government's cloth-eared immigration rules."