Cumbrian constituencies which turned Conservative at the last election could be about to lose council funding, as new analysis shows the Government may be rewarding its traditional south east power base.

An estimated 37 of the 50 new Tory MPs – amounting to 70 per cent of the gains made by the Conservatives at the general election – represent areas that are set to lose millions a year, according to predictive analysis of the Government's fair funding review.

According to the Local Government Association’s Labour group said, Cumbria County Council is set to lose £5m in funding, necessitating further spending cuts.

However, newly elected Barrow MP Simon Fell has hit back at the claims, calling the funding estimates 'speculation'.

Responding, Mr Fell said: “The figures are speculation provided by the Labour group on the Local Government Association, based on the results of a consultation which has yet to be published or responded to. The LGA themselves have even issued a clarification on the story.

“What the communities secretary has made clear is that this Government is committed to levelling up the UK, including communities like Barrow. “

In a statement, the Barrow and Furness Labour Party said: “The Tories set to betray the north already.

“The Conservatives are planning to inflict more cuts on northern communites and council services.

“Towns could also have taxes increased to pay for the governments failure in social care funding.

“Furness and Cumbria look set to lose millions.”

The LGA’s Labour group said Hampshire would be the biggest winner, gaining £35m a year, followed by Surrey county council, which is set to add £25m to its coffers, and which is home to 11 Conservative MPs, including two cabinet members.

An LGA spokesman said: “This analysis does not represent LGA policy, an LGA policy proposal or an LGA preference.

“It is an attempt to provide some information to councils that might help gauge the likely impact of the fair funding review on the relative distribution of adult social care funding.”

A government spokesman said “Funding allocations for adult social care should be fair and based on the best available evidence. We will continue to progress the fair funding review through close collaboration and engagement with the local government sector, and aim to publish a consultation in spring 2020.”