BARROW, South Lakes and Eden will form an Eastern Unitary Authority, taking on the duties currently undertaken by the County Council. Allerdale, Copeland and Carlisle will do the same in the West.

I know that opinion was divided locally as to what the best option might have been. Some people locally backed ‘The Bay’ option, others East/West, more still a single council based in Carlisle, and some (including myself) North/South. Regardless, any reorganisation will bring significant and welcome benefits to the region, ensuring strong, joined-up, and effective local government across Furness and Westmorland, and strengthen Cumbria’s voice as a whole.

 

PARLIAMENT: Simon speaking in the Chamber during the Borders Bill debate

PARLIAMENT: Simon speaking in the Chamber during the Borders Bill debate

 

The existing councils and their partners will now work together to drive forward the process while plans are laid before Parliament for approval.

This also unlocks the potential for a growth deal and a Mayor – the real prize in terms of driving investment into our communities.

On Monday, I spoke in the House in broad support of the Nationality and Borders Bill.

This important piece of legislation seeks to reform the current dysfunctional asylum system.

Many constituents have contacted me to express their dismay about the increase in small boat crossings.

It angers them to see that there is no consistent control of those who cross our borders, to watch the chaos involved in the process and to witness desperate and vulnerable individuals being exploited for profit.

We need to ensure that we are fair to those genuinely seeking asylum and/or fleeing conflict, but we need to stop the influx of the crossings being organised by criminal gangs people trafficking for personal gain.

 

FLYING: The Lancashire flag on display in Parliament Square

FLYING: The Lancashire flag on display in Parliament Square

 

Reforming our broken asylum system is long overdue and needs change.

Now is the time to replace it with one that is fair and offers a hand up for those in genuine need and punishes those who exploit the vulnerable and dispossessed.

This situation has repercussions even here.

Earlier this summer, images of these small boat crossings were included in inflammatory right-wing pamphlets circulated locally, seeking to stoke up racial prejudice.

Our cenotaph was defaced with Nazi graffiti, and we have had a few, isolated incidents of racism on our streets.

If we reform the asylum system fairly now, we remove some of the tinder that threatens to kindle a dangerous fire at home.

 

PARLIAMENT: Simon speaking in the Chamber during the Bill debate

PARLIAMENT: Simon speaking in the Chamber during the Bill debate

 

I was privileged on Monday to join the All-Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality for Women.

Just a few hours later, I was delighted to read the judgment by the Parliamentary Ombudsman, namely that, just as the WASPIs (Women Against Pension Inequality) have been arguing for years, Government officials had been too slow to tell many women they would be affected by the rising state pension age.

Parliament and the DWP now need to scrutinise what this decision means, and to compensate those who have not been treated justly.

I look forward to supporting this long-awaited aim.