FREE qualification courses will provide adults with skills to help them face the cost of living crisis.

Cumbria County Council, as part of its autumn adult learning programme, will offer English, maths, digital skills, health and wellbeing, employability and the 'greener curriculum'.

All these aids to employment will be free until July 2023.

Initial assessments for those who want to do GCSE courses are being set up around Cumbria.

Business owners, entrepreneurs, inventors, and people with a business idea can access free advice and support from Cumbria BIPC.

Two hubs in Barrow and Carlisle libraries offer both in-center and online events and webinars, as well as one-on-one appointments whilst showcasing resources available to get businesses up and running.

Each centre will have access to high-level data resources such as IBISWorld, Mintel, Cobra, Local Data Online and a state-of-the-art Ultimaker 3D printer all free to use with a library membership.

The autumn brochure, which gives full information about all courses,  will be delivered to every house in Cumbria within the next few days.