An MP has quizzed the Prime Minister on the need for bus funding in Cumbria.

During Prime Minister’s Question Time, Dr Hudson, Penrith and The Border MP, expressed his disappointment that Cumbria did not receive any money from the latest round of bus funding and urged the Prime Minister to give reassurances that Cumbrians would not be overlooked in future funding schemes.

The Prime Minister called Dr Hudson a champion for rural Cumbria before affirming the Government wants to put more money into buses.

Hudson secured a meeting with ministers to discuss the issue further.

Hudson asked: “Challenges with rural transport remain some of the greatest obstacles facing people in Penrith and The Border.

"I was therefore pleased last year to see that on top of the Government’s £3 billion National Bus Strategy helping areas like Cumbria, Cumbria County Council received an additional £1.5 million to enhance provision as part of the Rural Mobility Fund.

"But, I am sure my Rt Hon Friend can only imagine my disappointment this month when Cumbria was allocated no funding from the latest tranche of bus funding.

"Can the Prime Minister reassure my constituents that Cumbria can look forward to future funding schemes to improve our vital rural bus services?"

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, replied: "We do want to put more into buses, I believe in them passionately myself and I will make sure he has a meeting with the relevant minister."

Speaking afterwards, Hudson, said: "Places such as Penrith and The Border should no longer be considered the end of the line for transport services, but to ensure this we need adequate funding.  

"Ultimately, Whitehall needs to understand that Cumbria is not London - the lack of public transport links has a huge impact on communities throughout Penrith and The Border.

"With the rising cost of fuel becoming a worrying issue for people, this problem is only set to get worse if not addressed, disproportionately affecting elderly and disabled people who rely on these vital transport links.

"I’m pleased the Government has made buses a central focus for the levelling up agenda, with one of the most ambitious shake-ups of the bus sector in a generation; but too often, rural communities such as ours are overlooked."

Hudson cited some of the many vital bus services that operate in rural Cumbria, like Community Wheels in Alston, and the volunteer-led Fellrunner bus.