BUSINESS leaders in Cumbria have warned about the potentially “damaging” impact of the government’s post-Brexit wages policy for migrant workers.

If the UK’s Brexit departure involves a ban on the free movement of EU workers, the government’s current plan would introduce a £30,000-a-year minimum salary threshold for all European workers who want to live and work here.

Any EU worker earning less than that would be able to stay for only a year.

As the Parliamentary deadlock over Brexit rumbled on this week, Cumbria Chamber of warned that the government’s preferred tough post-Brexit regime would be damaging for parts of Cumbria’s economy.

There is particular concern that some food-processing firms, and the hospitality sector of the county’s economy - particularly in the Lake District - in particular, may over the long term face a shortage of the workers they need to thrive.

Both industries in the county have in recent decades depended heavily on migrant labour from the EU.

Rob Johnston, chief executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said: “Until now, there has been a steady flow of people who can work in these sectors so they have been able to grow.

“But if that labour pool shrinks, it will make life even more pressured for businesses which have tight margins. We could see some businesses disappear.”

Also concerned is Keswick town councillor Tony Lywood, who said British workers from unemployment hit parts of west Cumbria struggle to get to the town because of lack of public transport.

“Keswick, in the heart of north Lakes, is not totally dependent on migrant European labour, but it would be significantly affected,” said Mr Lywood when asked about the £30,000 wage policy.

“It would damage our economy if those workers were not able to come here to work.”

Meanwhile, at least two Conservative MPs in the county are maintaining their support for Prime Minister Theresa May’s draft EU Withdrawal Deal.

Both the Carlisle MP John Stevenson and Penrith and the Border MP Rory Stewart also backed a bid by fellow MPs to take control of the Brexit debate by staging a series of non-binding votes in the Commons on possible alternatives to Mrs May’s deal.

Mr Stewart said: “I support the principle that it made sense for Parliament to express its preferences; and for MPs to express their second choices.

“The only way we’re going to get a deal is through compromise.”

Even the options that was considered by MPs that most appealed to him - a compromise deal that would involve remaining within a customs union - was his second best option when compared to Mrs May’s current deal.

Currently the only deal accepted by the EU, it commands more support that any other option, said Mr Stewart. Asked about Theresa May’s resignation offer, he said: “The fact that she’s prepared to sacrifice her job is a real mark of courage.”

Mr Stevenson said: “I’ve been critical of some Conservative MPs, but the Labour Party are playing politics with this.

“Theresa May’s deal is not perfect but we have to compromise to get this deal done. Theresa May negotiated her deal with our EU partners and they’ve accepted it.

“It also honours the referendum. It’s going to be a hard Brexit but it fulfils our obligation to the referendum.”

No senior Cumbrian Labour politician was yesterday available to comment on Brexit.