Category Archives: Uncategorized

Cumbria’s MPs, council leaders and nuclear industry representatives met with Rail Minister Lord Hendy in Parliament recently to make progress on plans for a major upgrade of the Cumbrian Coast Line through West Cumbria. After ten years with no progress under the previous government, plans are now motoring ahead. This is the second meeting CumbrianContinue reading “Cumbrian leaders meet Rail Minister to progress rail upgrade”

You don’t need me to tell you the state our NHS was in last summer. Record waiting lists, doctors on strike, buildings falling apart, mental health services at the brink of collapse, near impossible to get a GP appointment or find an NHS dentist. We were dangerously close to the NHS ceasing to exist asContinue reading “Weekly Column – 09.07.2025 – The plan to turn around our NHS”

Political, farming, business, education and nature leaders across Cumbria have banded together in a bid to secure a major devolution of funding and decision making for upland communities to support farming and nature recovery in the county. Over 40 community leaders have backed a bid by Cumbria’s MPs to devolve the government’s budget for farmingContinue reading “Cumbrian leaders unite in radical bid for farm funding”

It was the greatest honour of my life to be elected as your MP one year ago.  I promised to be visible and accessible and I’ve hosted 65 advice surgeries, coffee mornings, drop-ins, street surgeries, public meetings, neighbourhood walkabouts and supermarket surgeries, engaging 3,000+ residents in the process. I appreciate everyone who takes the timeContinue reading “My first annual report as your MP”

We made a manifesto commitment to lower energy bills by £300 during this Parliament. While bills are now far lower than the high point under the Tories (remember when the price cap hit £4,279 in January 2023?) they are still too high and people rightly want to see the change they expected when they castContinue reading “Weekly Column – 25.06.2025 – Action to lower energy bills”

More than 2,700 additional treatments have been carried out on patients in north and west Cumbria over the last year, with the waiting list dropping by 7% overall.  The latest figures from North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which runs West Cumberland Hospital and Cumberland Infirmary, also show that the number of patients waitingContinue reading “Waiting lists for NHS treatment down 7% in north and west Cumbria in latest figures”

The government has announced that every pupil in West Cumbria whose household is on Universal Credit will have a new entitlement to free school meals.  Starting in September 2026, up to 4,000 more children across West Cumbria will be able to access free school meals, saving parents £500 per year per child and making lifeContinue reading “Free school meal extension to benefit thousands in West Cumbria”

A campaign by two local young people to secure investment in the playground in Flimby has enlisted the help of local MP Josh MacAlister. The campaign started by Flimby residents Kaelan and Ethan, 13, of Netherhall High School, is calling for play equipment to be cleaned and upgraded and for new equipment to be installed.Continue reading “Campaign to improve Flimby playground enlists help of local MP”

I gave up my column last week so that the Prime Minister could endorse the central plank of my recently launched industrial plan for West Cumbria; to unlock land at Moorside for new nuclear development. I’m now working hard to drive it forward as quickly as possible with Cumberland Council, the NDA and others. I’mContinue reading “Weekly Column – 18.06.2025 – Upgrading our railway is vital to our future”

Cumbria has always been at the heart of Britain’s energy story. From Calder Hall to Sellafield, this region has powered the nation with world-class expertise and a proud industrial heritage. And with this government, Cumbria will be at the front and centre of our plans, this time building a clean, secure energy future. We’re doingContinue reading “The Prime Minister writes for the Whitehaven News on West Cumbria’s nuclear future”