Penrith & Solway

The economy is dominated by small businesses with agriculture, tourism and retail being key sectors. In addition there are a few large manufacturing companies providing important employment and economic prosperity both directly and through their suppliers.

The landscape and environment of Penrith & Solway is stunning with nearly 50% nationally recognised as a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Lake District National Park is in the centre, the Solway AONB to the north and the North Pennines AONB to the east. In addition 20% of Penrith & Solway is designated for nature as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Penrith & Solway is a large constituency stretching 60 miles by road from Nenthead in the east to Maryport in the west, and 40 miles from Buttermere in the south to the Solway Firth in the north. The electorate is approximately 77,000 people but Penrith & Solway is visited by many millions as a holiday destination..

Included in Penrith & Solway are the towns of Alston, Penrith, Keswick, Cockermouth, Maryport, Silloth, Wigton and Aspatria & the large village of Dalston each with its distinct character, community and requirements. All have secondary schools and have health provision either via a community hospital, health centre or GP practice.

Key challenges that affect the communities in Penrith & Solway are:

• low wage economy combined with a high cost of living - especially energy

• lack of affordable housing

• an ageing population

• limited skills & training opportunities

• poor transport links limiting access to jobs, health and education services

• failure of post Brexit farming support

• sewage in our waterways and environmental degradation

• risks to homes, farming and nature from climate change