MP urges minister to give Cumbrian towns their fair share of new funding

Local MP Tim Farron is lobbying the Government to give towns in Cumbria a fair share of a new funding initiative.

Earlier this Spring, the Government announced the introduction a Stronger Towns Fund - £1bn for towns across England to help create jobs and boost growth.

However, the Government say that this money will only be available for towns with a population of over 30,000 meaning that everywhere in the county apart from Carlisle and Barrow will miss out.

In his letter to the Communities Secretary, James Brokenshire, Tim made the case for the funding to be available for towns with populations over 10,000 so that Kendal, Workington, Whitehaven, Penrith, Maryport and Ulverston can all benefit.

Tim said: "This money was supposed to be invested in our less well-off towns, but those communities will simply feel left even further behind.

"In Cumbria, we have a disproportionate number of medium sized towns who are crying out for investment but are set to miss out.

"We need better higher paid jobs to be brought to places like Kendal and Ulverston which is why I'll be lobbying the minister to change their plans so Cumbria gets its fair share of this funding."