MP urges Government to support Cumbrian businesses and workers to cope with impact of Coronavirus

On the floor of the House of Commons last night, local MP Tim Farron challenged the Government to give whatever financial support is needed to help local businesses and workers cope with the impact of Coronavirus.

Speaking during the Government's statement on Covid 19, Tim said: "May I encourage people across the country to have complete confidence in the Government's medical and scientific advice, and that is essential for the safety of the country?

"I also encourage the Secretary of State to ensure that the population as a whole have confidence in their own economic futures. We spent £500 billion bailing out the banks in 2008. We need to be prepared to go even further than that to ensure that people-for example, the 60,000 people working in tourism and hospitality in Cumbria-know that their economic future is not about to be burnt."

In response, the Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "Coming from a small business background myself, I understand the impact that a change like this can make, especially to the tourism industry, which is so important in the hon. Gentleman's constituency. We regret having to take the measures that we are taking today.

"This is something on which we are working at pace."