Workington MP Sue Hayman said her battle to retain business rates from the nuclear new-build in West Cumbria has made a step forward.

She asked a question during Prime Minister's Questions in the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday and David Cameron agreed to look at Cumbria keeping 100 per cent of the business rates from the new nuclear power station at Moorside.

He said: "I'll look very carefully at this. We are committed to the new nuclear industry, we're making good progress with Hinkley Point, but we need to see another big station go ahead.

"I'll look very carefully at what she says about business rates retention and business rates more broadly."

Mrs Hayman said: "The Government basically said that they won't be supporting our councils based on needs any more, but that we have to stand alone with council tax and business rates.

"My point is, how are we going to do that if the Government proposes to retain 100 per cent of one of our largest employers?"

She added she had already asked the Government to consider her proposal of retaining the business rates, but it's the first time she had a chance to ask Mr Cameron directly.

Mrs Hayman said: "It's a step forward. In Cumbria it's more difficult to get money from business rates than other parts of the country and it's unfair to push us to get our money this way.

"They currently get 50 per cent of the business rates from Sellafield, which stands at £16 million.

"I'm absolutely determined that they understand the impact it would have for us if they took the full business rates for the nuclear new-build."