Cumbria is set to benefit from an extra £4.15m in Government funding to help the county’s local authorities face the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was announced yesterday by the Government that a further round of funding set to help support local authorities as the Covid-19 pandemic, and all its effects, continued.

Authorities in Cumbria have been provided with £52.86m in extra funding since start of pandemic.

The Government intends the funding to help local authorities cover their coronavirus-related costs and support the continued delivery of services.

It was also announced that Cumbria stands to benefit from a further £100m, which will be used to establish a new fund to support council leisure centres that are most in need, in recognition of the ongoing challenges many local authority leisure centres are facing.

More details of the support for leisure centres are to be set out by the Government shortly.

The funding has not been ring-fenced, meaning local leaders will be able to determine how to spend the additional funding.

Following the news, Carlisle MP John Stevenson said that the further funding is “hugely welcome and will ease financial pressures and ensure it is able to continue providing vital local services this winter.

He said: “Just like we said we would stand behind people whose jobs are at risk – with over £200bn so far to project jobs, incomes and businesses throughout and beyond this pandemic.

“This Conservative Government is keeping its promise to local authorities and ensuring they have the resources they need to continue supporting people.”