COPELAND could pocket millions in extra funding if it is allowed to keep its business rates, an MP has claimed.

Jamie Reed, parliamentary representative for the area, has formally called for clarity on the changes to the way business rates are retained in a move outlined by chancellor George Osborne at the Conservative Party Conference this week.


Jamie Reed MP Mr Reed claims the cash - around £32 million - should stay in the district to improve infrastructure and create education and skills opportunities for young people in the area.

He has now written to Mr Osborne to confirm the extra money will stay in Copeland - a detail which has not yet been underlined by the government.

“Sellafield plays a nationally strategic role and allowing Copeland Borough Council to retain the business rates generated at Sellafield would be a recognition of the service our community provides to the rest of the country.

“By retaining this locally generated tax to spend on local services, we could invest in our roads and rail, we could further invest in schools and training, we could regenerate our town centre and we could build a brighter future for our young people.

“I have written to the government to make the case for reforming business rates to allow Copeland to retain more of the money it generates.”

The change in the amount of money local government is allowed to keep from business rates was announced on Monday.

At the moment, just 50 per cent of business rates are kept by local authorities.

Sellafield has a rateable value of more than £65 million with the rate multiplier set at just under 50 per cent.

Mr Reed added: “West Cumbria is on the verge of a truly transformative era. Our best days are ahead of us.”