Cumbria MPs Mark Jenkinson and John Stevenson have visited new housing developments amid renewed focus on housebuilding in Westminster.

The MPs for Workington and Carlisle met with housebuilder Persimmon as the focus on the need for new housing intensifies in the run-up to a general election.

Mr Stevenson joined Persimmon’s regional Managing Director at their Speckled Wood development located 2 miles southeast of Carlisle city centre.

The MP for Carlisle met with local apprentices working on the development which will provide 50 new homes made up of 2, 3 and 4-bedroom properties.

Mr Jenkinson meanwhile was given a tour of Persimmon’s Solway View development in Workington meeting the local site teams working to deliver the 330-home development.

John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle, said “It was a pleasure to visit and see progress first-hand at the Speckled Wood development in Carlisle.

“When new homes are built in Cumbria, we want them to be built to the highest quality and to fit in with the local area. It was good to see the pride being taken by the team, in the development, and particularly the role apprentices have played in this.”

Mark Jenkinson, MP for Workington, said: “I was delighted to visit Solway View and see some of the new quality homes being delivered for local people.

“It was especially pleasing to meet some of the apprentices who have been working on the site and to see first-hand all their impressive work.”

Anthony Mansfield, Managing Director of Persimmon Lancashire: "We always welcome the opportunity to demonstrate our role in delivering new housing and so we were delighted to host the MPs for Carlisle and Workington.

“Persimmon is absolutely committed to delivering high-quality homes for local people with nearly half of our customers over the last two years been first-time buyers.

“Working with local political stakeholders, we hope to be able to continue to deliver much-needed new homes for local homebuyers across Cumbria.”