A south Cumbrian MP has launched a petition urging the Government to rethink its local authority funding.
Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has started a petition, alongside the Westmorland, Furness and Eden Liberal Democrats, called ‘Labour – Stop cutting our communities’.
It comes after Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet approved budget proposals for 2026/27 that were described as ‘enforced austerity’.
The cabinet, made up of councillors from the council’s ruling Liberal Democrat party, blamed these austerity tactics on cuts to local authority funding from Westminster.
"There is no alternative," said Councillor Andrew Jarvis, cabinet member for finance, on the budget proposals he set out.
The budget proposals are set to be debated at a full council meeting later this month.
Mr Farron’s petition agrees that the funding cuts are forcing councillors from his party to make hard decisions.
The Westmorland MP said: “These cuts will have a huge impact on every community across our area.
“This is yet another devastating attack on rural communities by this Labour Government.
“It's important that we come together to fight against the Government's cuts.
“We are not going to take this lying down.
“Please help make our community’s voice heard by signing the petition today.”
The current changes to Westmorland and Furness Council’s government funding are set to leave it with a shortfall of £12m for next year alone – this will increase to £43m by 2028/29.
In the cabinet-approved budget proposals, there is a 4.99 per cent rise in council tax, the maximum that it can be raised per year by an authority, increased parking charges, as well as forced cuts to several council initiatives such as carer support payments.
The near five per cent rise in council tax will mean that those in Band D will pay nearly £96 more a year.
Additionally, the cabinet proposes that a £60 garden waste collection fee be introduced.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government were contacted for comment.
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