Author Archives: joshmacmp

After the last 14 years, mental health services are on their knees. Nowhere is this felt more starkly than in West Cumbria, where we have some of the highest suicide rates in the country and an urgent crisis in access to mental health support. We need more mental health professionals, more early intervention services toContinue reading “Weekly Column – 30.10.2024 – We demand better mental health services”

A cross-party delegation of Cumbrian politicians met with Rail Minister Lord Hendy this week to make the case for a major upgrade of the Cumbrian Coast Line from Carlisle to Barrow. The delegation included Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister, Penrith and Solway MP Markus Campbell-Savours, Carlisle MP Julie Minns, Westmorland and Furness MP TimContinue reading “Cross-party group of Cumbrian politicians meet Minister over railway”

A delegation of Cumbrian politicians met with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to seek help overcoming roadblocks getting in the way of delivering new nuclear in West Cumbria. The delegation, led by Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister, included MPs Markus Campbell-Savours MP, Michelle Scrogham MP, Julie Minns MP and Cumberland council leader Mark Fryer. TheContinue reading “Cumbrian politicians meet Secretary of State over nuclear roadblocks”

I was lucky enough to be selected in the ballot to introduce a Private Members’ Bill, meaning I have the chance to put forward a Bill to be debated in Parliament and perhaps become law. I chose the issue of making smartphones less addictive for children to support healthier, happier childhoods and last week myContinue reading “Weekly Column – 23.10.2024 – Safer Phones Bill”

I write again about nuclear, but it is a fitting moment to do so, given that this week marks the 68th anniversary of the opening of the world’s first civil nuclear power station right here in West Cumbria. Speaking that day in 1956, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II said: “This new power, which hasContinue reading “Weekly Column – 16.10.2024 – The Moorside Letters”

Josh MacAlister, Labour MP for Whitehaven and Workington, will introduce a Bill this Wednesday to protect children from the harms that can be caused by excessive screen time, and the use of social media and other apps, many of them addictive by design. Josh, a former teacher and charity CEO, who led a landmark independentContinue reading “MP launches Bill to tackle addictive phone use by children”

With confirmation that a Bill will be brought forward for debate and a vote by MPs on choice at the end of life I want to take this opportunity to explain some of the background to the proposed legislation and to let you know my current thinking. This can be an emotive issue and peopleContinue reading “Weekly Column – 09.10.2024 – Choice at the end of life”

I know many local pensioners are angry with me over the government’s decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Allowance to those pensioners who need it most. I understand your anger and I share it. The Conservatives left this country broke and broken – including a £22bn blackhole in the nation’s finances. So the government hasContinue reading “Weekly Column – 02.10.2024 – Make sure you claim what you’re entitled to”

Last week Labour’s flagship Renters’ Rights Bill was introduced to Parliament. The Bill delivers on the government’s manifesto commitment to reform the private rented sector and improve the quality of housing in it. It represents the biggest boost to renters’ rights in a generation and will benefit 10,000 people renting privately in West Cumbria.  WhenContinue reading “Weekly Column – 18.09.2024 – Greater rights and protections for private renters”

Whitehaven and Workington’s Labour MP has welcomed major new legislation to crack down on water bosses for polluting West Cumbria’s rivers, lakes and seas. The Water (Special Measures) Bill has been introduced to Parliament and will give regulators new powers to take tougher and faster action to crack down on water companies damaging the environmentContinue reading “Landmark legislation to crack down on bosses for polluting our rivers, lakes and seas”