Category Archives: Uncategorized

A year ago, I stood in the House of Commons and argued that we could not simply accept a childhood shaped by addictive algorithms, anonymous strangers and online harms. I said then that childhood was increasingly being reshaped by products deliberately designed to maximise attention. Infinite scrolling, autoplay videos and recommendation algorithms were not accidents.Continue reading “Weekly Column – 17.06.2026 – Giving children their childhood back”

Children in West Cumbria will be better protected from online harm under landmark new government measures announced this week, with social media platforms set to be banned for under-16s. The announcement follows an 18 month-long campaign led by Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister, who first brought proposals before Parliament in September 2024 calling forContinue reading “Josh MacAlister MP welcomes landmark under-16 social media ban and launches new parenting support programme”

At the last election I made a commitment to you to bring investment into West Cumbria to upgrade cold and draughty homes and lower energy bills. I’ve reported back already on the direct financial support we’ve put in place – taking £150 per year of costs off everyone’s bills and including thousands more west CumbriansContinue reading “Weekly Column – 10.06.2026 – Warmer homes and lower bills for west Cumbrians”

Josh MacAlister MP has today set out a major new government strategy to make sure children in care and care leavers are supported to build the lifelong relationships most people rely on for love, stability and support. The Whitehaven and Workington MP, who now serves as Children’s Minister, gave an oral statement in Parliament announcingContinue reading “West Cumbrian MP leads national reforms to help children in care and care leavers rebuild lifelong relationships”

Alan Milburn’s interim report should be a wake-up call. It describes a generational fault line: nearly one million young people aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training, with numbers rising further unless we act. Behind every statistic is a young person with talent, potential and hopes for the future. Too often, whenContinue reading “Weekly Column – 03.06.2026 – Lets reach NEET Zero in West Cumbria”

Whitehaven residents have given their backing to ambitious plans to revive the town centre, following a packed public meeting held last week. Around 70 residents attended the meeting, where they were given a preview of the Whitehaven Town Centre Masterplan ahead of its expected approval by Cumberland Council’s Executive next month. The plan has beenContinue reading “Whitehaven residents back ambitious plans to revive town centre”

Josh MacAlister MP has written to the Traffic Commissioner calling for urgent action over ongoing disruption to Stagecoach bus services in West Cumbria. The Whitehaven and Workington MP has backed concerns raised by Cumberland Council after months of complaints from passengers about cancelled buses, short-notice changes, poor communication and unreliable services. Cumberland Council has formallyContinue reading “Josh MacAlister backs call for urgent action over unreliable Stagecoach bus services as complaints pass 200 mark”

People in West Cumbria work hard. You deserve a government that is on your side, understands the pressure you are under, and acts to help. This week we announced a series of measures to do just that. Building on the action we’ve already taken to cut costs – expanding free childcare, free school meals andContinue reading “Weekly Column – 27.05.2026 – A little extra help for west Cumbrian families”

New publicly funded bus services across West Cumbria are carrying thousands of passengers a month, with early figures showing that routes secured through government funding and delivered by Cumberland Council are already making a real difference for local communities. But Josh MacAlister MP has warned that one route – the 32 service linking Whitehaven, St.Continue reading ““Use it or lose it”, urges MP on new bus route”

I’m looking for local people to help lead the futures of south Whitehaven and Flimby The areas of Kells, Mirehouse, Woodhouse, Greenbank and Sandwith in south Whitehaven and the areas of Flimby, Ellenborough and Broughton Moor have been awarded £20 million each over the next ten years through the Government’s Pride in Place programme. ThisContinue reading “Community champions needed to join neighbourhood boards!”