Category Archives: Uncategorized

One of the most damaging consequences of the last 14 years has been the underinvestment by previous governments in our roads and public transport network. The consequences of that have hit hard in rural areas like ours. Bus services slashed, a train line that is crumbling and, despite the best efforts of the council, tooContinue reading “Weekly Column – 20.11.2024 – Delivering better roads and public transport”

Josh MacAlister MP and Cumberland’s Labour council have today backed the Labour Government’s transformative plans to deliver better buses across Cumberland by providing £5 million in funding next year. The investment has been designated to enhance popular routes, protect and create new rural services and increase bus use for shopping, socialising and commuting. It willContinue reading “£5 million announced by government to deliver better buses across Cumberland”

New analysis from Josh MacAlister reveals that an estimated 3,196 workers on the National Minimum Wage in West Cumbria are set to receive up to an additional £1,400 a year after Labour’s first budget saw the National Living Wage rise to £12.21 an hour. The boost is a significant step towards making sure the minimumContinue reading “NEW FIGURES – Over 3,000 in West Cumbria set to gain up to £1,400 a year thanks to Budget Minimum Wage boost”

The number one priority of any government is to keep its citizens safe. That also means looking after those in our armed forces who put their lives on the line to maintain that safety and honouring those who make the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great country.  Over the weekend it was a greatContinue reading “Weekly Column – 13.11.2024 – Honouring our Armed Forces and Veterans”

Last week a Budget was delivered by a Labour Chancellor for the first time in fourteen years. The Chancellor had a difficult task with the inheritance she was handed by her predecessor and I don’t envy her having to make some of the decisions she did. Just as a brief reminder, the Conservatives crashed theContinue reading “Weekly Column – 06.11.2024 – A Budget to fix the foundations”

After the last 14 years, mental health services are on their knees. Nowhere is this felt more starkly than in West Cumbria, where we have some of the highest suicide rates in the country and an urgent crisis in access to mental health support. We need more mental health professionals, more early intervention services toContinue reading “Weekly Column – 30.10.2024 – We demand better mental health services”

A cross-party delegation of Cumbrian politicians met with Rail Minister Lord Hendy this week to make the case for a major upgrade of the Cumbrian Coast Line from Carlisle to Barrow. The delegation included Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister, Penrith and Solway MP Markus Campbell-Savours, Carlisle MP Julie Minns, Westmorland and Furness MP TimContinue reading “Cross-party group of Cumbrian politicians meet Minister over railway”

A delegation of Cumbrian politicians met with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to seek help overcoming roadblocks getting in the way of delivering new nuclear in West Cumbria. The delegation, led by Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister, included MPs Markus Campbell-Savours MP, Michelle Scrogham MP, Julie Minns MP and Cumberland council leader Mark Fryer. TheContinue reading “Cumbrian politicians meet Secretary of State over nuclear roadblocks”

I was lucky enough to be selected in the ballot to introduce a Private Members’ Bill, meaning I have the chance to put forward a Bill to be debated in Parliament and perhaps become law. I chose the issue of making smartphones less addictive for children to support healthier, happier childhoods and last week myContinue reading “Weekly Column – 23.10.2024 – Safer Phones Bill”

I write again about nuclear, but it is a fitting moment to do so, given that this week marks the 68th anniversary of the opening of the world’s first civil nuclear power station right here in West Cumbria. Speaking that day in 1956, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II said: “This new power, which hasContinue reading “Weekly Column – 16.10.2024 – The Moorside Letters”