Author Archives: joshmacmp

Mountain Rescue volunteer and MP for Whitehaven & Workington, Josh MacAlister, has joined climbers, mountain rescue volunteers and walkers on the summit of Great Gable to take part in what is believed to be the highest annual Remembrance service in England. Josh made the climb alongside volunteers from the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, taking partContinue reading “West Cumbrian MP joins highest Remembrance service in England”

When I think back to one of my first big challenges after being elected last year, the story that stands out is the eviction of every tenant from the Slipway apartments in Whitehaven. Dozens of residents were told they had just two months to pack up and leave their homes – not because they’d doneContinue reading “Weekly Column – 05.11.2025 – A fairer deal for renters and landlords in West Cumbria”

Plans to revive Whitehaven town centre are gathering pace as the latest progress update on the development of the town’s Masterplan was presented to the Whitehaven Town Centre Board last week. The Board, chaired by Josh MacAlister MP and Cllr Emma Williamson, reviewed the latest version of the emerging Masterplan, which outlines a long-term visionContinue reading “Plan to revive Whitehaven takes shape”

Small businesses are the beating heart of West Cumbria’s economy – from pubs and cafés to manufacturers and family-run shops. They employ local people, keep our high streets alive, and drive the community spirit that makes our area special. But too often, they are being choked by a simple injustice: not being paid on time.Continue reading “Weekly Column – 29.10.2025 – Time to pay up for local businesses”

For years, red tape has made it harder for pubs to serve food outside, host live music, or even stay open. Now Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister is calling time on bureaucracy and asking local punters to join him and back our pubs. The Government has launched a fast-track review to tear up outdatedContinue reading “MP calls time on outdated pub rules”

The Cumberland Nuclear Future Board, chaired by Whitehaven & Workington MP Josh MacAlister and Cumberland Council leader Cllr Mark Fryer, met this week with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to review the next phase of work to bring new nuclear and AI-led growth to West Cumbria. Cumberland MPs Markus Campbell-Savours and Michelle Scrogham were also inContinue reading “Board makes progress on plan for new nuclear in West Cumbria”

For too long, people in Cumbria have had to put up with bus services that don’t work for us. Whole communities have no access to buses at all and those that do face unreliable timetables and connections that don’t join up. In rural areas like West Cumbria, this isn’t a small inconvenience – it’s aContinue reading “Weekly Column – 22.10.2025 – Taking back control of our buses”

Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven & Workington, has launched his first annual Christmas card competition and is inviting local people to submit photographs that capture the very best of West Cumbria – from our coastline and fells to our towns, villages, and community spirit. Josh said: “Every year I’m blown away by the talent andContinue reading “MP launches Christmas card photo competition”

Josh MacAlister MP has welcomed today’s Government announcement that Cumbria will be among the first areas in the country to pilot new bus franchising powers, giving local authorities a greater say over how services are run. Josh MacAlister MP said: “I’m delighted that Cumbria has been chosen to lead the way in piloting new approachesContinue reading “Cumbria starts to take back control of buses”

Thousands of people in Cumbria who are sick, disabled, or face complex barriers to work will receive personalised support to get into good jobs, thanks to a £11.7 million investment for the county from Labour’s Connect to Work programme. The funding – part of a £167 million national expansion and a £1 billion UK-wide planContinue reading “Labour Government invests £11.7 million to help 2,750 Cumbrians into work”