Josh MacAlister, the new MP for Whitehaven and Workington, has been busy since election day.
In addition to his work in Parliament and on local issues he has also received more than 2,000 pieces of casework from local residents seeking help or support.
The cases range from questions about government policy, to help with housing, campaigning for better bus services, improving services for children with special educational needs, and tackling issues like speeding. And Josh says he’s already getting results.
“One of the most important parts of an MP’s job is helping people who need it in any way I can. It’s a privilege to be able to do so and I’m delighted that, of the more than 2,000 cases I’ve received, my team and I have already resolved over 1,600 of them.
“In those are lots of examples of where we’ve made a difference. Getting housing repairs sorted when someone was waiting too long, making sure a streetlight outside someone’s house was repaired, securing Carers Allowance for a lady who was given the run around by the DWP, chasing up scan results from the hospital after someone had waited more than six months.
“I’m really delighted to have been able to help hundreds of people already. The individual issues may seem small to some but it’s these every day things that hold people back and where an MP’s intervention can make a difference.”
Josh has now opened his telephone helpline and constituency office in Whitehaven and will also have members of his casework team available at the Carnegie in Workington on most Wednesday mornings.
“I’ve been holding regular advice surgeries and drop-ins and public meetings, but I’m stuck in Parliament Monday to Thursday and so I also want to make my team available to help face to face during the week when needed.
“We’ll soon advertise regular opening hours for the Whitehaven constituency office where people can pop in for a cuppa and a chat with my staff, and I’ll also have a weekly casework drop-in in Workington which anyone is welcome to attend. And I’ll be launching my January to March 2025 programme of public events where people can continue to meet me directly very shortly.”
Josh encouraged residents who need help to get in touch.
“I promised to be visible and accessible and I hope people can see that I’m keeping that promise. I can’t help everyone with everything, but I’ll help as many people as I can as much as I can. So, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by e-mail, phone, text or letter and I’ll do my very best!”
You can reach Josh’s office by e-mail, by phone on 01946 458 023, by text on 07520 666785, or by post at Office or Josh MacAlister MP, First Floor, 35-40 James Street, Whitehaven, CA28 7HZ.
Members of Josh’s casework team will be available at the Carnegie from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Wednesdays and 10am to 12pm at Josh’s office in Whitehaven on Thursdays.
Find details of Josh’s upcoming public events at joshmacalister.uk/meetjosh
Josh MacAlister MP 