Cumbrian MP Dr Neil Hudson has joined calls for a debate to be held in the House of Commons on job losses in the aviation sector.

Dr Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, has joined Huw Merriman MP, chairman of the Transport Select Committee, and 130 MPs in an application for a House of Commons debate on job losses across the aviation sector.

This cross party application has been successful in securing a debating slot.

Dr Hudson said: “The Coronavirus pandemic as well as being a health emergency has delivered a huge shock to our economy.

"The aviation industry has been acutely hit. I have been contacted by a number of constituents who have been affected by the fallout from this, not least the planned redundancies by British Airways and other organisations which I have deep concerns about and which urgently need to be scrutinised.”

He added that aviation has an "important footprint in Penrith and The Border, with the presence of Carlisle Lake District Airport.

"The airport has also been hit hard and I am keen that as we come through this crisis that Government supports regional airports such as ours. I am 100% backing Carlisle Lake District Airport’s exploration of applying for Freeport status and hope the Government will give it close consideration when the time comes.”