Education Secretary Gavin Williamson stopped by Ulverston as part of a day-long canvassing trip to Cumbria.

Mr Williamson began his morning on the campaign trail in Kendal before visiting Ulverston, Copeland and ending his tour of the region in Workington.

At Ford Park he met with Simon Fell, the Conservative candidate for Barrow in December’s general election, before knocking on doors in surrounding villages like Swarthmoor. Mr Williamson reiterated a government pledge to increase funding for schools, promising a 5.4 per cent uplift for Barrow and Furness.

Analysis from the National Education Union of the Schools Block (NEU) indicated this year that the government had already broken its promise of a cash increase for every school in the country.

However, Mr Williamson called the NEU’s figures 'complete rubbish' and said the government had delivered 'increased year-on-year funding per pupil right across the country.'

Mr Fell said: 'Education funding is a big issue here.

'So it was good to have Gavin restate the commitment to increase funding for every single school - both primary and secondary - across Barrow and Furness.'

Mr Williamson, the former Defence Secretary, also echoed Mr Fell’s recent comments raising fears around the future of shipyard jobs in Barrow under a prospective Jeremy Corbyn government.

He said: 'Barrow has always played a vital role in delivering our national security. We would like to take the opportunity to thank your readers, so many of whom have worked in the defence industry for generations.

'I think that's something the whole town should be really proud of.'

Chris Altree, the Labour Party candidate for Barrow, said: 'I’m surprised the Education minister had the nerve to visit Ulverston. Every school in the town has suffered cuts to its budget. There’s been £2.8 million taken away from building the futures of Furness children since 2015.

'Only Labour will reverse these cuts.'