Author Archives: joshmacmp

Immigration is one of the issues people raise with me most often. The message I hear across West Cumbria is clear: Britain should remain a country that offers sanctuary to people fleeing war and persecution, but we must also have firm control of our borders and an asylum system that is fair, orderly and properlyContinue reading “Weekly Column – 12.08.2026 – Getting a grip of immigration”

Every school in West Cumbria is set to have access to dedicated NHS mental health support from November, following the expansion of Mental Health Support Teams across North and West Cumbria. Three existing Mental Health Support Teams are already supporting 31 schools across the former Copeland and Allerdale areas. Josh MacAlister MP has received confirmationContinue reading “Josh MacAlister announces rollout of mental health support to every school in West Cumbria”

One of the biggest frustrations I hear from people across West Cumbria is not about the treatment they receive from the NHS – it’s about getting through the front door in the first place. The 8am rush to phone the GP. The struggle to find an NHS dentist. Long waits in A&E because people haveContinue reading “Weekly Column – 05.08.2026 – Opening the front door of our NHS”

Josh MacAlister MP has visited the site of Workington’s new Youth Hub, which will soon open its doors to help more young people across West Cumbria find work, training and new opportunities. The hub will be based in the new home of Cumbria Youth Alliance in Workington town centre, bringing together local youth organisations withContinue reading “Josh MacAlister visits new Workington Youth Hub”

Josh MacAlister MP has welcomed the first announcements from the new government, saying they will provide practical help with the cost of living for households and businesses across Cumbria. The government has announced that VAT will be removed from domestic electricity bills between 1 October 2026 and 31 March 2027. The measure will benefit everyContinue reading “New government acts to cut household bills, slash bus fares and back Cumbria’s pubs”

Josh MacAlister MP has welcomed plans for a new sodium treatment facility at the Port of Workington, describing the project as a major vote of confidence in West Cumbria’s nuclear expertise and industrial potential. Cumberland Council has completed the necessary agreements with Cavendish Nuclear and its delivery partner Amentum to lease land at the portContinue reading “Major nuclear investment planned for Port of Workington “

Farming is not simply another industry in West Cumbria. It is part of who we are. Our family farms produce food, sustain villages, support jobs and look after the landscapes that make this part of the country so special. Yet in almost every conversation I have with local farmers, I hear the same concern: tooContinue reading “Weekly Column – 22.07.2026 – A new roadmap for farming”

A campaign led by Josh MacAlister MP to cut costs for volunteer search and rescue organisations has taken another major step forward, after the Government published draft legislation confirming how eligible vehicles will be exempted from Vehicle Excise Duty. The exemption will take effect from April 2027 and will apply to vehicles registered to searchContinue reading “MP’s campaign for search and rescue vehicle tax exemption reaches major milestone”

Plans to bring a pioneering sustainable aviation fuel production facility to a site near the Port of Workington have taken another significant step forward, as the project moves into the formal pre-planning process. Carbon Neutral Fuels has signed a Planning Performance Agreement with Cumberland Council, marking the beginning of the next stage towards securing planningContinue reading “Government-backed aviation fuel project reaches another major milestone for Workington”

Josh MacAlister MP has welcomed the Government’s new long-term plan for farming while renewing his call for Cumbria to be given greater control over farm funding and land management. The Government’s Farming 2050: Growing England’s Future roadmap commits to maintaining domestic food production at least at its current level, recognising food security as part ofContinue reading “Josh MacAlister backs long-term farming plan and calls for farm funding decisions to be devolved to Cumbria”