A CUMBRIAN MP has been promoted to the new role of parliamentary private secretary for the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Workington MP Mark Jenkinson has announced that he has accepted the role as part of Defra today, February 11.

Mr Jenkinson shared his thoughts on his promotion on social media. He said: "I am delighted to accept my new promotion to parliamentary private secretary (PPS) for the Defra.

"As ever, I will continue to take every opportunity to represent my constituents and to be active across the Workington constituency."

Mark said that a PPS is a link between the ministerial team at Defra and parliament back benches.

He says that he is 'looking forward to getting stuck in' and the point of the reshuffle is to increase engagement between ministers and parliamentarians.

Workington is home to part of Defra so the constituency already has very good links to the organisation, he said, adding that he will be spending some of his time forging links between his office and the Defra team.

Mr Jenkinson added: "It's a really important department for my constituency so I'm delighted to be a part of it."

Defra deals with issues regarding the environment, food productions and standards, farming and fishing and rural communities.