Category Archives: Uncategorized

I had a piece of casework recently from someone who had been trying to start a new job in our NHS but the right-to-work checks were taking months. Many of us face the nightmare of endless forms and identity checks when trying to access services. Whether it’s starting a new job, renting a home, claimingContinue reading “Weekly Column – 01.10.2025 – Putting power back in your hands”

Whitehaven MP Josh MacAlister and Cllr Emma Williamson have secured £20 million of long-term investment for Whitehaven’s neighbourhoods of Kells, Woodhouse, Greenbank, Sandwith and Mirehouse through Labour’s Pride in Place programme. The funding will deliver £2 million every year for the next ten years, supporting local jobs, improving community facilities, enhancing green spaces, and makingContinue reading “£20 million secured: Labour delivers once in a generation investment for South Whitehaven”

I hope parents and grandparents have now recovered from the summer holidays! For too many local families, the long break can be a real struggle. Childcare is hard to find and often too expensive, routines are disrupted, and the cost of keeping children fed and entertained every day quickly adds up. That’s why I’m soContinue reading “Weekly Column – 24.09.2025 – Putting money back in the pockets of local families”

Workington MP Josh MacAlister paid a visit to McMenon Engineering this week to meet staff and see how a proud local manufacturer is making a global impact while continuing to invest in West Cumbria. From its headquarters in the town, McMenon designs and makes precision instruments that measure flow and temperature – vital tools usedContinue reading “From Workington to the World: MP visits McMenon Engineering”

Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister has brought together grassroots sports clubs from across West Cumbria following the Government’s announcement of a landmark £400 million investment in local sport facilities and initiatives. The funding, unveiled recently by the Labour Government, will be delivered over the next three years to improve local facilities, strengthen community clubs,Continue reading “MP hails “once in a generation chance” to boost grassroots sport in West Cumbria”

I am extremely disappointed that the tunnel will remain closed until next spring and angry at the disruption this will cause to passengers on the Cumbria Coast Line. I have received assurances that rail services will continue to run as far as Corkickle from the south and Whitehaven from the north and will raise anyContinue reading “STATEMENT: Extension of Bransty tunnel closure”

This week Parliament took another stride towards delivering the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation. The Employment Rights Bill passed through to its next stage – a victory for the millions of people who’ve been left for too long with insecurity, poor pay and a system stacked against them. This Bill is notContinue reading “Weekly Column – 17.09.2025 – A step forward for working people in West Cumbria”

Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, has slammed a decision by the North East and North Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) not to act on recommendations in an independent review it commissioned which called for the process which led to the decision to close Yewdale Ward at West Cumberland Hospital to be rerun.Continue reading ““A betrayal of West Cumbria” – MP blasts decision to shut Yewdale Ward after NHS bosses ignored their own review”

I was honoured this weekend to be asked to serve as a Minister in the Department for Education. It is a responsibility I take on with the experiences of children and families here in West Cumbria always at the front of my mind. My professional life has been shaped by a commitment to children andContinue reading “Weekly Column – 10.09.2025 – Putting children and families first in Westminster and West Cumbria”

Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, has praised a new dental service in Whitehaven which is helping people in north and west Cumbria to access urgent dental care when they need it most. Whitehaven Urgent Dental Access Centre provides appointments to diagnose and treat urgent issues for patients, including severe toothache; dental abscesses; brokenContinue reading “MP praises new urgent dental service in Whitehaven”