A CAMPAIGN supporting credit unions has won the support of a Cumbrian MP. 

Jamie Reed, Copeland MP and Labour's shadow health minister, has supported the #2020 vision campaign to increase credit union members to two million by 2020. 

Existing membership is at 1.2m which means credit unions would need to grow by two thirds to achieve that target.

Mr Reed said: “I’m supporting the #2020 vision for credit unions because credit unions provide a vital service to communities up and down the country. 

"They help people who find themselves in financial difficulty through providing affordable loans and a protected place to save. 

“Here in Copeland, both local Credit Unions are a real lifeline for people who are struggling to make ends meet and find themselves in debt as well as providing a competitive range of loans for a whole range of purposes.

"They also play an invaluable role in encouraging people to save for a rainy day or towards retirement.”