Local MP Tim Farron has called for fair fares in South Lakeland. Government policy means that South Lakeland tax-payers are forced to subsidise visitors using bus services, but don't get the same free transport access that is available to other areas.
Local MP Tim Farron has today tabled a parliamentary question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer that it is hoped will help clarify the future of the HMRC office in Kendal. It has become clear that other areas are seeing a 'rationalisation' in HMRC offices, meaning that smaller offices are being amalgamated into bigger, regional offices. The office in Kendal is staffed by around 40 people, and those people could face having to move to Carlisle or Preston or lose their job completely.
Local MP Tim Farron has today been made aware of yet more evidence of maladministration at DEFRA concerning under-payment of the Hill Farm Allowance top-up, announced last month by Secretary of State Hilary Benn. Mr Benn announced that around £12m had been set aside to assist farmers who had lost out as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak this year. For HFA recipients, this top-up had been earmarked as 32% of their HFA payment. However Tim Farron has learned that one farmer who has been underpaid in his HFA payment would receive 32% of their incorrect payment, rather than 32% of the higher sum.
Local MP Tim Farron has today given his backing to the announcement from the Food and Drink Federation to make a 13.5% cut in product packaging by 2010. Mr Farron will table a parliamentary motion in support of the announcement, but also warns that further cuts are needed if the challenge of climate change is to be fully confronted.
Local MP Tim Farron has backed the Competition Commission's consultation on a 'Supermarkets Ombudsman', which would see an independent body overseeing the conduct of large retailers.
Local MP, Tim Farron will table a parliamentary motion next week urging local authorities to take the lead in addressing the lack of affordable housing by adapting and converting disused or underused farm outbuildings into housing for local people.
