MP calls for Government to stop Cumbria coal mine plans

Commenting on the breaking news that controversial plans for a new coal mine in Cumbria will be reconsidered by Cumbria County Council's planning committee, local MP Tim Farron said: "The very fact that this application is going back to the planning committee because it might not meet the requirements of the Climate Change Act shows exactly why this mine shouldn't be going ahead.

"The Government now needs to step in, show some climate leadership and stop this mine once and for all.

"In the year that we are hosting COP26, it is unconscionable that we are even considering opening a brand new coal mine.

"The Government also now need to work with urgency with the steel industry to advance the technologies to make steel without environmentally damaging fossil fuels."