A MINISTER has heard how Lake District businesses are 'struggling to survive because of staffing issues.

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron and Lake District hospitality leaders met with the Minister for Immigration Kevin Foster to discuss the ongoing staffing shortages in the tourism industry.

Mr Farron was joined by Gill Haigh, Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Nigel Wilkinson, managing director of Windermere Lake Cruises, and Joe Cobb, executive manager at Lake District Country Hotels.

The minister heard that the staffing crisis has led 85 per cent of businesses being concerned about adequate staffing. according to a survey by Cumbria Tourism.

Mr Farron and the group of hospitality leaders encouraged the minister to extend the Government’s Youth Mobility Visa to include countries in Europe.

The Youth Mobility Visa allows people aged between 18 to 30 to live and work in the UK for two years, but is only currently available Australia, Canada, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino and Iceland.

The South Lakes MP said: “We have a world class hospitality industry in Cumbria.

“Having survived through the last two years of lockdown, it’s now a tragedy that many businesses are struggling to survive because they simply can’t find the staff.

“The minister was very receptive to our case to extend the Youth Mobility Visa Scheme and agreed to update us on progress.

“With Easter – which is such a crucial time for the tourism sector – just five weeks away, it’s so important that this is urgently addressed.”