Welcoming the news that two of the four people questioned over the Cumbria police commissioner whistle blower row will not face criminal action, Labour's John Woodcock MP said:

“This sorry affair has left egg on the face of the new police commissioner and the over-zealous cops who made the arrests. The government should act to prevent this fiasco happening again - Britain needs a US-style law to protect courageous public servants who blow the whistle on poor use of taxpayers’ money."

JOHN has welcomed the news that Barrow’s Chetwynde School has won government approval to become Cumbria’s first free school.

John said: "It will be a real boost for local families to make a school of Chetwynde's quality free to all rather than just those who can afford it.

"I have urged the governors to pursue the free school route and supported them through the process because having a range of good schools in Furness is vital for our young people and the future economic success of the area.

"Chetwynde without fees will pose challenges but giving families extra choice over which school their child attends can help further drive up standards right across the area."

CHANGE is needed in the wake of an Ofsted decision to place Furness Academy in special measures, John has said.

John said: "The new academy must play a big role in driving up education standards in Barrow so it is vital pupils get the leadership that matches the major investment in new facilities.

"While the academy has many strengths, including hard-working staff, Furness children deserve better, particularly in the provision of vital, core subjects.

"We need change now - there can be no excuses for sustained poor performance."

The final report of the Furness Poverty Commission - 'Shining a Light on Hidden Deprivation in Furness' was today launched at Barrow town hall to an invited audience of 100 representatives from schools, churches, public bodies and other agencies.

The commission was established by John Woodcock last December, tasked with investigating the extent of both urban and rural poverty in Furness, and identifying practical, deliverable objectives to tackle it. The commission has taken evidence from many Furness residents, forty schools and large numbers of other stakeholders.

Speaking at the launch, John Woodcock described the findings of the commission - of real, grinding poverty across Furness - as 'a call to arms'. The full report and recommendations can be accessed here.

JOHN has asked parliament to debate the findings of the Furness Poverty Commission – a body he set up in December to investigate deprivation in the local community.

Tomorrow (Friday) the commission will present its report at Barrow town hall to an invited audience of 100 representatives from schools, churches, public bodies and other agencies.

John said: "Tomorrow, the Furness Poverty Commission will produce its report into the hidden levels of deprivation in my constituency.

"I am sure that the whole House will share my gratitude to the commissioners for their work and my shock at the grinding hardship that they have catalogued.

"Does the Leader of the House agree that we should find time to debate the important recommendations of this report and those of other local poverty commissions set up by concerned Members and citizens up and down the country?"

Leader of the House the Rt Hon Andrew Lansley responded: "I have not had an opportunity to read the report, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman that the Government are keen to assist people.

“We were discussing job creation a moment ago. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the best route out of poverty is finding work, and we need to enable people to do that.”