THE Tour of Britain’s return to Cumbria this year is fantastic news, according to a Barrow councillor. Race organisers confirmed yesterday that Stage 6 of the 2021 tour will be starting in the county before finishing in Gateshead. In 2018, Stage 6 of the tour started in Barrow and finished in Whinlatter Pass. Cllr Shaun Blezard believes it was a great occasion the last time the tour came to the town. He said: “It is fantastic news. Last time it came to Barrow, the excitement levels went through the roof. “Any type of international sporting event is just really good for the area as it means tourists come up here.
COUNCILLORS said they were concerned about their own wellbeing during a debate into modern slavery. Representatives on Barrow Borough Council asked if they could be classed as potentially vulnerable themselves when carrying out their duties. The question was raised by Cllr Ann Thomson, leader of the council, during the review into safeguarding adults and modern slavery. She said: “I wonder whether the council needs a safeguarding lead for councillors as well as staff? “Can we incorporate a new policy within our own councillors groups, as I know on the planning committees we get ‘a lot of abuse’ and a lot of hassle, and I sometimes worry about the health of some of the planning members?
BARROW S MP has defended his decision to abstain from the vote on Universal Credit in the Commons after facing criticism from the Labour Party in Furness who believe he should have stood up for families in the area . A £20-a-week increase in Universal Credit was introduced last year to help families cope during the COVID-19 pandemic, but that is set to expire at the end of March. The non-binding motion was passed by 278 votes to none, with every party in the House of Commons voting in favour of the motion apart from the Conservatives who abstained. Shaun Blezard, Barrow & Furness Constituency Labour Party policy officer, said: While it was pleasing to hear Mr Fell’s words on Monday, we are disappointed in his inaction in abstaining.