Author Archives: joshmacmp

For farmers in West Cumbria, the way government supports farming and nature recovery is not an abstract policy debate – it is about whether family farms can survive and pass on a viable business to the next generation. That is why I have made securing a devolved farm-funding settlement for Cumbria one of my topContinue reading “Weekly Column – 10.12.2025 – Backing West Cumbria’s farmers”

Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven & Workington, has welcomed more than £18 million of new investment in local bus services across Cumberland over the next three years, as part of the Government’s landmark national funding programme to deliver faster, cheaper and more reliable buses. This comes alongside the £5 million already secured this year, whichContinue reading “£18 million to transform bus services in Cumberland as first wave of new routes launched”

Residents of West Cumbria are invited to attend two important community drop-in events in Whitehaven this Friday – one offering vital advice on avoiding economic crime from officers of Cumbria Police, and another providing flood-resilience guidance from the Floodmobile team and Environment Agency – organised with the support of local MP Josh MacAlister. These sessionsContinue reading “Free expert advice on fraud and floods this Friday”

Families in West Cumbria will soon see strengthened SEND support through Labour’s expansion of early intervention services in every Best Start Family Hub, including those in Whitehaven and Workington. From April, councils across England will recruit dedicated SEND practitioners for all 1,000 hubs, ensuring families can access expert help early, without the need for aContinue reading “West Cumbria to benefit as Labour expands SEND support across Family Hubs”

Josh MacAlister MP has intensified his push in Westminster to win a new devolved farm-funding settlement for Cumbria – one that puts decisions in the hands of local people and delivers real support for farmers, rural communities and nature recovery. Josh has held multiple meetings with ministers in recent months, pressing the case for CumbriaContinue reading “MP steps up campaign to secure devolved farm funding for Cumbria”

Last week’s Budget marks a significant step to ease cost-of-living pressures on workers, families and pensioners, while laying the foundations for a country where every child has the chance to thrive. Global instability and domestic pressures have tested household budgets, and the Government is acting to provide support. Ensuring older people live with dignity andContinue reading “Weekly Column – 03.12.2025 – A Budget delivering security for families and opportunities for every child”

169 former mineworkers in Cumbria will receive a significant uplift in their weekly pension, overturning an historic injustice and ensuring fair payouts for years to come. Following the announcement by the Chancellor in last week’s Budget, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed that the move will mean a 41% per cent boost to the annual pensionsContinue reading “Labour Government ends miners pension injustice”

Josh MacAlister, Member of Parliament for Whitehaven and Workington, has today welcomed the Labour Government’s record funding boost for road maintenance, including nearly £100 million for Cumberland Council. Cumberland Council will now be able to fix many more potholes and prevent new ones through proactive road improvements thanks to a doubling of roads cash byContinue reading “Record funding boost for local roads”

Josh MacAlister, Labour MP for Whitehaven and Workington and a serving Mountain Rescue volunteer, has welcomed the Government’s decision to exempt Search and Rescue (SAR) vehicles from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) – a change he has been actively lobbying for since entering Parliament. Volunteer-led Search and Rescue organisations – including Mountain Rescue, Lowland Rescue, CaveContinue reading “Campaign success as Cumbrian MP secures exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty for Search and Rescue vehicles”

There is no greater responsibility for a Government than protecting the nation and its citizens from threats. We are living in an increasingly dangerous world in which those threats are rapidly growing and governments can be slow to respond and adapt. This Labour Government recognised the emerging threats we face early on and took immediateContinue reading “Weekly Column – 26.11.2025 – Defence boost creates opportunities for West Cumbria”