South Lakes MP Tim Farron has asked treasury ministers to reduce the rate of VAT on charges for hotels and B&Bs. Tim thinks this tax cut could boost trade, create jobs and help our tourism sector compete with other European destinations.

Tim has asked the Treasury to bring tax rates into line with other European countries. While VAT rates on hotels and cultural attractions are set at the standard 20% in the UK, they are much lower in other EU destinations:

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed the news that Vince Cable has agreed not to hit existing graduates with student loan interest.

Tim, who voted against the rise in fees of up to £9,000, was recently contacted by local graduates who were concerned that a government-commissioned study, conducted by investment bank Rothschild, included an option to increase interest rates for 3.6 million borrowers who took out student loans over the past 15 years. Tim has lobbied the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and asked them to rule out this idea and send out a strong statement.

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has stepped up his calls for National Grid to link Moorside power station to Heysham via a tunnel under Morecambe Bay, rather than follow a route over land which cuts through the South Lakes.

Having been briefed on all the options to be presented to the public in September, Tim has made clear his desire for the Grid to follow this course of action in order to minimise the environmental impact of the project and protect the precious landscape of the Lake District National Park.

Tim's call comes after a report was released this morning by think-tank Civitas. Civitas have suggested that credit unions should be allowed to take bigger deposits if they are to become a viable alternative to high-cost lenders. Credit unions are financial co-operatives that operate in local areas, offering small loans to members.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has backed the Westmorland Gazette's Independents' Day campaign to support local traders in our area. Tim has asked local residents to buy something from a local shop and support our high street on Saturday 6th July.

Local independent businesses involved are offering discounts and great offers as part of the event. Independents' Day is a national campaign which aims to give a voice to the UK's independent retailers.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has said official statistics show the need for an action plan to help young people in the agricultural industry.

A report from the Office for National Statistics analysing censuses from 1841 to 2011 found that the proportion of workers who are in agriculture and fishing in England and Wales fell to 0.9% - or 200,000 people - in 2011.

Heinz has announced plans to axe 45 jobs from its Kendal factory by transferring production of some of its infant milk products to New Zealand. Commenting on the news South Lakes MP Tim Farron said:

"This is incredibly worrying news. I plan to meet with managers, South Lakeland District Council and the Trade Unions urgently to discuss this issue. I will be asking Heinz to bring extra production to the factory. The staff at the factory are incredibly hard working and I will be asking Heinz to do everything they possibly can to support staff and the families affected."

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed news this morning that unemployment has fallen again in South Lakeland.

According to figures released by the Office of National Statistics the county's unemployment rate fell from 2.7 to 2.6%. This meant that there were 884 fewer dole claimants last month than in May 2012. In South Lakeland we saw a 1.2% fall in unemployment.

A series of 330 free concerts this summer across England, bringing people from all backgrounds together to listen to the best local musicians, have been announced. South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed the news that two of them are being held in Cumbria.

The concerts, including more than 30 across the North West, will be free for everyone!

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has called for 'real and urgent action' to deal with the housing crisis we face, after statistics showed that many people cannot afford to buy a home in the villages they grew up in.

New figures from the National Housing Federation show the number of people aged 30-44 has dropped nearly 9% in rural areas over the last decade, despite numbers rising in urban areas.