A CUMBRIAN MP has called for the families of healthcare workers that have lost their lives in the battle against Covid-19 to be given compensation.

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, is one of 50 cross party MPs to sign in a letter making the request to Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, on Monday.

It states: "They are putting their lives on the line and we believe that they deserve to be protected just like members of our armed forces, they should know if that if the worst happens, the state will help their families. It is what they need and what they deserve.

"We are writing to you to call on the UK government to create a Coronavirus compensation scheme for those, who, as dedicated and committed professionals are putting themselves in harms way to protect us all.

"This would be open to those that have died as a result of contracting Covid-19 while performing front line duties."

The MPs have asked that healthcare workers who lose their life get an upfront lump sum, a guaranteed income for their family, and child payments to eligible children under 18.

It added: "Furthermore, given the extraordinary nature of the crisis, it is only fair that the state should also contribute to funeral costs."

The campaign is being spearheaded by Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran.

However the letter comes as Tim put out a warning on Twitter that personal protective equipment for care workers was running out.

On Tuesday he said: "Speaking to people who work in care homes and people's own homes it is very clear that they are running very low on personal protective equipment, in fact I'm told that across the county we will potentially run out, in social care of equipment this weekend.

"And if this happens care homes will be unable to safety discharge patients from hospitals to their settings and that will of course put enormous additional pressure on our already overcrowded health service.

"That is why I'm asking the Government to make sure that Cumbria has sufficient personal protective equipment for everybody, whether they work in a care setting or within people's own homes because we owe these people a massive debt. Those people are on the frontline."