MP urges minister to address social care and hospitality staffing crisis in Cumbria

On the floor of the House of Commons this afternoon, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron asked for a meeting with the Minister for Employers, Mel Stride, to discuss how to tackle staffing shortages in the county's hospitality and social care sectors.

Speaking during Work and Pensions Oral Questions in Parliament, Tim said: "In Westmorland and the South Lakes, our challenge is somewhat different with an unemployment rate of only 1.4% and an average age 10 years above the national average. Our issue, with 20 million visitors every year, is a hospitality and tourism industry without the staff they need and a care sector without the staff they need.

"That needs direct intervention - more affordable housing for local people, T-Levels for local young people as well, but also visa rules that work for us.

"Will he agree to meet with me and local business leaders in the South Lakes so we can come up with a bespoke solution to the workforce crisis?"

Responding, Mel Stride MP said: "Well the right honourable gentleman has referred to a smorgasbord of different policy areas across several different departments including housing and skills and matters in the purview of the Department for Education as well as my department.

"But I've heard what he says and will take it away and consider it."

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: "I'm bitterly disappointed with the minister's massively unhelpful response.

"Employers in Cumbria are crying out for support to the staffing crisis, but the minister is letting them down by palming us off. Not good enough."