Success as Cumbria gets its own local enterprise partnership

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed the news today that the bid for a stand-alone Cumbrian local enterprise partnership (LEP) has been selected as the government's preferred option.

The new LEPs will take over responsibility for driving economic growth from the regional development agencies, which are to be scrapped. Originally, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles MP said that LEPs had to cover a minimum population of 1 million - leading to fears that Cumbria would be joined with Lancashire and receive a raw deal from the new system.

Tim raised the issue with Lib Dem Communities Minister, Andrew Stunell MP, and asked that Cumbria be considered as a special case given the rural nature of the county.

Speaking after the announcement, Tim said: "I'm delighted that the government has accepted our case and not joined Cumbria with a Lancashire-based LEP. Our county has so many unique issues, and it's key that Cumbrians are able to make the best decisions for Cumbria."