South Lakes MP Tim Farron is urging the Government to scrap plans to introduce a unitary authority for the entirety of Cumbria.

In response to a question from Wigton county councillor Lord Liddle during a debate in the House of Lords, Local Government minister Lord Bourne said that the idea for a unitary Cumbrian authority is "very much in the in-tray" and that the Government were not "ruling it out in any way".

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has accused bosses from Post Office Ltd. of declaring that they will go ahead with the closure of Kendal Post Office regardless of the outcome of their consultation.

Following Post Office Ltd's drop-in session to discuss the proposed move to the much smaller WHSmith store, Tim received a flurry of emails from local residents who were categorically told by post office staff that the move would definitely be going ahead.

Local MP Tim Farron has slammed the Conservative Government for leaving Cumbrian businesses in limbo after Cumbria Chamber of Commerce warned that the lack of answers around a No Deal Brexit is damaging local businesses.

The Chief Executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Rob Johnston, wrote to Tim saying that an absence of clarity over issues such as staffing was jeopardising investment and growth in the county.

Local MP Tim Farron has hailed a productive meeting with the housing minister Kit Malthouse as part of his campaign to limit the effects of excessive second home ownership in the South Lakes.

During the meeting, the minister said that he shared Tim's concern about the tax loophole which is currently letting second home owners avoid paying any council tax.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has taken a swipe at the Conservative Government following the introduction of a "Tory death tax".

From this week, new regulations introduced by the Conservative Government mean the cost of death certificates, as well as birth and marriage certificates, is going up from £4 to £11.

Citizens Advice recommends people get "several copies of the [death] certificate, for which there will be a charge." Upon losing a loved one, people now face a charge hike of £49, on the basis seven copies are purchased.

Tim has accused the Conservatives of introducing these measures "by the back door" as MPs have been denied a vote on them.

Tim said: "These regressive fees, charged to people just when they are grieving for loved ones, are nothing more than an insensitive death tax.

"Local people deserve better, and the Liberal Democrats demand better. Profiteering off the back of people losing loved ones should bring shame on those who call themselves 'compassionate conservatives'."