Workington Town Council is calling for the Government to secure £87.2m for Cumbria following the EU referendum.

Town councillor Andrew Lawson made the motion at a meeting on Wednesday, calling on David Davis, the Secretary of State for exiting the EU, to secure the cash that Cumbria was due to get in European funding until 2020.

Coun Lawson said: “It’s vital that we get assurances that this money will still come into Cumbria. It’s only fair we get what we have been promised.

“I believe the Government should be answering very important questions regarding the Brexit vote to reassure people that they are doing everything they can to ensure we get this funding.”

The cash would include £44m to support research and innovation activities, small to medium size business creation and growth and the creation of a low carbon economy, 334m to increase employment opportunities, promote social inclusion and investing in skills to enable people to reach their full potential and £9.2m for rural businesses to start-up, grow and expand, improve knowledge and skills and encourage tourism.

The council will write to Mr Davis also asking him to outline how he is planning on getting the best deal for Cumbria when negotiating conditions of leaving the European Union.

Coun Lawson said: “I’m open to cross party ideas and talking over what deal Cumbria should get in leaving the EU.

“I am very keen to hear what the Government’s plan is.

“My main areas of concern are the jobs that are associated with EU funding and membership, we need guarantees that local jobs will be safe when we eventually leave and our working rights, which include paid annual leave, maternity leave and paternity leave.

“These are currently safeguarded by the EU and we need assurances that this will continue.”