Author Archives: joshmacmp

Families across West Cumbria have told me, time and again, that the system meant to support children with special educational needs and disabilities simply isn’t working as it should. Long waits, complex processes, and a constant battle to secure the right support have left too many parents feeling exhausted and unheard. That’s why the GovernmentContinue reading “Weekly Column – 22.04.2026 – Improving access to SEND support”

Josh MacAlister MP has officially opened a new free breakfast club at Northside Primary School, Workington, helping local families with the cost of living while giving children the best possible start to their day. The club – the fifth to launch in West Cumbria since last year – is part of Labour’s national rollout ofContinue reading “MP opens new free breakfast club in Workington”

Children and families across West Cumbria are set to benefit from a major new investment in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, as Cumberland Council receives £1.87 million to roll out a new “Experts at Hand” service. The funding is part of a £429 million national programme to transform support for children with SEND,Continue reading “£1.87 million boost for Cumberland to deliver new SEND support for local children”

Josh MacAlister has praised the incredible impact of the Whitehaven Harbour Youth Project after attending its 30th anniversary celebration in Whitehaven. The event marked three decades of dedicated support for young people in Whitehaven, bringing together volunteers, families, and local supporters to celebrate the organisation’s achievements. The day featured a community bake sale and aContinue reading “Local MP celebrates 30 years of Whitehaven Harbour Youth Project”

Josh MacAlister MP and local fundraising legend Gary McKee are preparing to take on the London Marathon this weekend, as Gary nears the finish line of his extraordinary challenge to run 100 marathons in 100 days. Gary, from Cleator Moor, has been raising funds for Hospice at Home West Cumbria, with a target of £100,000.Continue reading “Marathon Man and MP set sights on London Marathon finale in £100,000 hospice fundraising drive”

Students at Lakes College are set to benefit from over £600,000 of investment to improve facilities and support learning across the campus. The funding will be used for a range of practical upgrades, including essential roof repairs, improvements to classrooms and welfare facilities, enhancements to the external environment, and new technology to strengthen digital learning.Continue reading “MP secures major upgrades to Lakes College”

There’s a quiet but important shift happening in how government thinks about investment – and it really matters for places like West Cumbria. For too long, decisions about public spending have been made on narrow criteria, often overlooking the wider impact on local communities. Contracts have too often gone to the lowest bidder, with tooContinue reading “Weekly Column – 15.04.2026 – Making an impact in West Cumbria”

New figures reveal a significant boost to neighbourhood policing in Cumbria, with 34 additional neighbourhood police officers recruited across the county – part of a nationwide uplift of more than 3,000 officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in neighbourhood roles. The increase comes as part of the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which will seeContinue reading “Surge in neighbourhood policing in Cumbria as 34 additional officers recruited”

Two years ago, the picture at our local hospital was bleak. Waiting lists were at record highs. Services were being pulled back. Staffing shortages were so severe that A&E had to close on several occasions. For many people across West Cumbria, confidence in the NHS was being tested like never before. That didn’t happen overnightContinue reading “Weekly Column – 08.04.2026 – Building back our local hospital”

Josh MacAlister MP has visited West Cumberland Hospital to back ambitious plans to improve urgent and emergency care for patients across West Cumbria. During the visit, Josh met frontline NHS staff and thanked them for their hard work, as well as seeing first-hand how new investment will support faster treatment and reduce pressure on A&EContinue reading “MP backs plans to improve urgent and emergency care on hospital visit”