Theresa May accused of 'ducking' questions on Copeland visit

The Prime Minister has been accused of "ducking" questions around the nuclear industry, and healthcare, on a visit to Copeland.

Theresa May visited a school in Bootle today, ahead of the Copeland by-election taking place next week.

She was questioned about Moorside - the planned £10 billion nuclear power station - which have been thrown into doubt by the financial troubles faced by one of the project's main backers, Toshiba.

However, the Prime Minister's responses did not impress Justin Bowden, national officer of the GMB union, which represents nuclear workers.

He said:

The Labour candidate for Copeland, Gillian Troughton, said Theresa May had "ducked questions on maternity services".

The Government-appointed Success Regime is currently carrying out a consultation into the future of healthcare in Cumbria.

The body's proposals include the downgrading of maternity services at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven - from a consultant-led service to a midwife-led service.

This would lead to mothers experiencing pregnancy complications having to travel to the Cumberland Infirmary, in Carlisle - a journey of at least 40 minutes.

Campaigners say the changes would lead to mothers and babies dying.