Category Archives: Uncategorized

You wait years for a good trade deal and then three come along at once! In the last three weeks the Government has announced the frameworks for three really significant trade and economic agreements with the United States, India and the EU; the world’s biggest economy, the world’s fastest growing economy and the world’s largestContinue reading “Weekly Column – 28.05.2025 – Making Brexit work”

Cancer patients attending West Cumberland Hospital with other issues will no longer have to sit and wait in A&E after the trust implemented a new care pathway following representations from local MP Josh MacAlister. Josh wrote to hospital trust CEO Lyn Simpson after a constituent contacted him about his wife’s experience. His wife, who isContinue reading “New hospital pathway for cancer patients in West Cumbria”

I had lots of conversations with people about immigration last week. From speaking to constituents at a street surgery, to meeting a group of West Africans who have come here to work in the NHS, to friends and family. For all the noise and emotion in the debate, I think most people agree we shouldContinue reading “Weekly Column – 21.05.2025 – It’s time to really take back control of our borders”

An event celebrating Mirehouse was hailed as a “great success” by Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister. The event brought together local agencies and services to provide information and advice to residents on Mirehouse. Lots of activities were also on offer for people to get involved in. The event at St. Benedict’s RUFC, hosted byContinue reading “Respect Mirehouse Day hailed as a “great success” by MP”

Improving health services across West Cumbria was one of the five pledges I made to local people before last year’s General Election. It’s been one of my top priorities as your MP over the last ten months and I want to share the progress that we’re making locally and the government is making nationally. IContinue reading “Weekly Column – 14.05.2025 – Progress to improve local health services”

West Cumbria, like many parts of the country, faces a shortage of NHS dentists, with patients forced to wait until their issue is urgent before being able to access care. Even then, many are still having to wait for an urgent appointment at a limited number of practices. Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister saysContinue reading “MP calls for new Urgent Dental Access Centre in West Cumbria”

We’ve had a couple of weeks celebrating national pride and patriotism, with St. George’s Day recently followed by the 80th anniversary of VE Day this week. I was honoured to invite a local hero to Downing Street for a reception hosted by the Prime Minister on St. George’s Day. For me, it is a dayContinue reading “Weekly Column – 07.05.2025 – Pride and Patriotism”

A bold and ambitious plan to deliver better health services for people in Workington was raised with Ministers in Parliament this week by the town’s MP, Josh MacAlister. Health outcomes in Workington are poor and local services are fragmented. The government’s manifesto promise to deliver new Neighbourhood Health Centres to join up services across anContinue reading ““Transformative” plan for Workington health services shared with Ministers”

Most weeks I get the chance to visit a school, chat to parents and hear from NHS services. In these conversations everyone agrees that it’s good we are now more aware of conditions like autism and ADHD, but a recurring topic is the huge increase in diagnosis amongst children. So it prompts the question: what’sContinue reading “Weekly Column – 30.04.2025 – Getting the Diagnosis Right for Children”

I hope everyone had a restful break over Easter and had the chance to catch up with friends and family.  For those local families with children in nursery or primary school it’s now back to the morning rush to get them clothed and fed and in on time so you’re not late for work. AndContinue reading “Weekly Column – 23.04.2025 – Putting money back in the pockets of working families”