The 2012 Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics shows that in the UK, fuel poverty fell from 5.5m households in 2009 to 4.75m in 2010. Locally the report showed that in Westmorland and Lonsdale 23.1% of households are 'fuel poor'.

The report shows that in 2010, 8,644 households in Westmorland and Lonsdale were in fuel poverty, which means they spent more than 10% of their income in order to keep warm. Tim has called on the government to hold an urgent review of the energy sector and the impact of their excessive prices on people in Cumbria and consumers throughout the UK.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today backed Which?'s 'Watchdog not Lapdog' campaign. Tim is backing the campaign thanks to the large number of local people from the South Lakes who alerted him to campaign and asked him to back it.

The Financial Services Bill which is currently going through parliament will change how the financial services industry is regulated, creating a new regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with responsibility for protecting consumers.

South lakes MP Tim Farron met this week with representatives from the world's largest travel advice website, TripAdvisor, to discuss how tourism in Cumbria can benefit from free travel advice websites.

The meeting came hot on the heels of recent success in TripAdvisor's travel awards, in which Riverside Bed & Breakfast in Ambleside won third place for Best Bed & Breakfast in the world. With over 700 tourism based businesses in Westmorland and Lonsdale, the majority of them small and locally run, free travel advice websites are a cost-free means of promotion.

South Lakes MP, Tim Farron, has used Business Questions in the House of Commons to call for a debate to discuss the possibility of a future large-scale tidal energy scheme across Morecambe Bay.

In light of the recent resignation from the Labour front benches by Neath MP, Peter Hain, who is stepping back in order to concentrate his efforts on the campaign to build a tidal barrage across the River Severn -Tim called for the debate to discuss the future of other potential projects such as one in Morecambe Bay.

Cumbrian MP, Tim Farron, has this afternoon spoken in a debate in the House of Commons on the Queen's Speech and the Cost of Living, to support the Government plans for a Grocery Codes Adjudicator Bill. Tim called for 'fair trade for British farmers' as they fight exploitation by powerful retailers.

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale welcomed figures released today by the Office of National Statistics which showed Westmorland and Lonsdale has amongst the lowest unemployment figures in England.

Residence based unemployment in the constituency was recorded at 1.3% for the March this year - this is nearly four times lower than the rest of the region. Nationally, official figures showed that UK unemployment fell by 45,000 between January and March to 2.63 million. Westmorland and Lonsdale has 652 people currently claiming job seekers allowance.

Cumbrian MP, Tim Farron is today calling on farmers to make the most of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affair's second round of the Farming & Forestry Improvement Scheme (FFIS) and apply for funding to help support their businesses.

The FFIS is a targeted small grant scheme providing support for farmers, foresters, agricultural contractors, woodland owners and horticultural businesses. This support is to enable them to improve their competitiveness by using resources more efficiently or improving animal health & welfare. This scheme aims to help make businesses more profitable & resilient whilst reducing the impact of farming on the environment.

South Lakes MP, Tim Farron today welcomed Government recommendations that the Care Quality Commission's regulatory model be changed following its failure to spot serious problems at the maternity unit at Furness General Hospital following the death of 9 day old baby Joshua Titcombe in November 2008.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron presented the award to the IT department at Queen Katherine School, Kendal on Friday.

On Friday Tim Farron presented Prodigy Learning's esteemed 'Centre of Excellence' award to the head of the IT department at Queen Katherine School, Kathy Taylor.

Tim was also present to receive a donation cheque of £1,452 on behalf of the National Literacy Foundation. The school's English department raised the money in memory of Liz James, the former head of the English department, who died tragically prematurely.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today called on local residents to make themselves heard over the consultation on the future of policing in the county.

The number of front desks open to the public atCumbria's Police stations could be slashed from 17 to 5 - with only two of those inSouth Cumbria. Money saving measures could see only Barrow and Kendal stay open full time, with part time hours at Ulverston and Windermere. The constabulary are looking at four options for the future of front desks, after a 20% cut to their annual budget.