PM’s cautious roadmap must be accompanied with financial support for businesses to survive - MP

Commenting on the Prime Minister's statement setting out the roadmap to come out of lockdown, local MP Tim Farron said: "The Prime Minister is right to be cautious in his approach to make sure that this is the final lockdown.

"As a result of this though, many businesses in the Lake District's vital hospitality and leisure sectors now know that they won't be able to fully reopen until mid-May at the earliest.

"With many of the Government's financial support schemes set to end at the end of March, it's absolutely critical that the Chancellor immediately announces the extension of furlough, the business rates holiday and the cut in VAT for tourism, and finally provides support for the many workers and self-employed people who have been excluded."