EU FUNDING FOR CUMBRIA

Early day motion 852, tabled 25 October 2005 by Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 2 members.

That this House acknowledges that the Cumbrian economy is in a perilous state of decline with a gross domestic product of only 77 per cent. of the EU average; is gravely disappointed by the latest round of European Structural Funding decisions for 2007 to 2013 which risks the region suffering a reduction in structural funds; notes that Cumbria is one of only four regions out of the total of 214 regions in the enlarged EU that is suffering from an economy in absolute decline; believes that this and the fact that Cumbria suffers from the lowest projected annual average growth in the UK would justify the designation of Cumbria with special funding status, comparable to the special deal agreed for Berlin; and calls on the Government to designate Cumbria with Assisted Area Status under 87.3(c) of the Regional Aid Guidelines for higher levels of state aid.

Signatures by party: DUP 1, Liberal Democrat 1.