MP urges Chancellor to extend support schemes after a million people miss out on financial help

Responding to the news that more than one million people have fallen through cracks in government schemes designed to support them during the coronavirus crisis, local MP Tim Farron said: "The Chancellor made a clear pledge to do whatever it takes to make sure no one gets left behind, and so today's news makes it painfully clear that has not been the case.

"Those who have fallen through the cracks includes seasonal workers who are crucial to hospitality and tourism in the Lake District. Many self-employed people, who let's not forget make up 1 in 4 jobs in South Lakeland, are also missing out because either they've been in their job for less than a year or they operate as a small limited company.

"So, I've written to Rishi Sunak urging him to extend the furlough and self-employment schemes today. We've already seen unemployment shoot up by 312% locally - things will only get much, much worser unless the Chancellor takes action now."