WELCOME signs of economic recovery and falling unemployment rates are being seen nationally but Cumbrian town centres and retail are in need of a life raft.

Job vacancies in the UK are on the rise as society continues to unlock, the number of adverts for workers has not been seen since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, early signs of economic recovery have been seen with a 2.1 per cent increase from retail reopening in March.

Despite the positive national news, Cumbria Law Centre in Carlisle is still seeing an upturn in calls for legal support.

Head of centre Pete Moran said: “We’ve certainly seen a very sharp upturn in people needing help in housing issues, particularly possession and eviction.

“It’s very encouraging to think there might be some economic recovery on the way.”

This is not the picture on a local level. Mr Moran said: “We’re seeing lots of people issued with eviction notices, having to leave their homes because they’re in arrears.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak recently told the press that an increase in GDP seen in March is “a promising sign of things to come”

But Mr Moran said: “For an individual person it can take a long time for their own finances to recover.”

The survival of high street traders and industry in Cumbria will be integral to many people’s livelihoods.

Mr Moran said: “It remains to be seen how many businesses will be able to come back into good health, we really don’t know as schemes come to an end how many of those, particularly small businesses will be able to take the step back into being self sufficient and profitable.

“One of the things we’ve noticed is there seems to be very good intentions from Government in terms of schemes to help towns’ high streets and each one of those is a welcome move.

“I think the issue with them is they seem a bit piece meal and not very joined together.”

Although signs of recovery a welcome, Mr Moran said: “We can’t help but be anxious when we look at the landscape.”