Category Archives: Uncategorized

Cancer diagnosis and treatment times in north and west Cumbria have seen one of the biggest improvements in the country over the past year, according to new analysis of NHS performance figures. At North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, the proportion of patients receiving a cancer diagnosis or the all-clear within 28 days ofContinue reading “Cumbria among biggest improvers in England for faster cancer diagnosis and treatment”

Victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence across Cumbria will benefit from a share of £4.7 million in new government funding to make it easier to access specialist support through their local GP practice. Cumberland’s three Labour MPs, Josh MacAlister, Julie Minns and Markus Campbell-Savours, have joined Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen inContinue reading “£4.7 million boost to help domestic abuse victims in Cumbria access specialist support through their GP”

Every child deserves somewhere they feel they belong. Somewhere they can come home from school, share their worries, celebrate their achievements and know there will always be someone in their corner. That is what National Adoption Week, which takes place this week, is really about. It is a chance to celebrate the families brought togetherContinue reading “Weekly Column – 21.10.2026 – Every child deserves a place to belong”

More than 100 residents stopped by a pop-up surgery in Egremont on Friday (16th October), hosted by local MP Josh MacAlister alongside Councillor Sam Pollen and Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen. The event, held on Main Street, gave residents the opportunity to hear about major investments and developments in the town, askContinue reading “Over 100 residents attend pop-up surgery”

New figures from Josh MacAlister reveal local parents are set to save an estimated £39 million over this school year thanks to government childcare support after the funded childcare entitlement for eligible working parents of children aged nine months to two doubled from 15 to 30 hours last September. The analysis, based on the latestContinue reading “Cumbrian parents saving £39m a year following childcare roll out”

Workington’s historic St John’s Church has been awarded more than £700,000 in government funding for urgent repairs to its landmark tower, following a successful bid by the church backed by local MP Josh MacAlister and council leader Mark Fryer. The Grade II* listed church, one of Workington’s most recognisable buildings, will receive £708,310 through theContinue reading “£708,000 government funding boost to restore historic St John’s Church in Workington”

Seventy years ago this week, Calder Hall, the world’s first commercial-scale nuclear power station, was switched on right here in West Cumbria. On 17th October 1956, the world’s eyes were on our corner of Cumbria as nuclear power entered the grid for the first time, powering homes up the coast in Workington. We were atContinue reading “Weekly Column – 14.10.2026 – Powering West Cumbria: Building our economic future”

Young people and volunteers from all seven cadet units across Whitehaven, Workington and Cleator Moor came together for a special celebration hosted by local MP Josh MacAlister as part of the UK’s first ever National Cadets Week. The event, held at Lakes College in Workington, brought together young people from the Sea Cadets, Army CadetsContinue reading “West Cumbria cadets celebrated at special event hosted by local MP”

Almost 7,000 urgent dental appointments were delivered at West Cumbria’s Urgent Dental Access Centre in the last year, as new figures show improving access to NHS dentistry across our area. The Whitehaven Urgent Dental Access Centre provided 6,931 appointments during 2025/26 – an average of almost 580 every month – providing treatment for people needingContinue reading “Nearly 7,000 urgent dental appointments delivered as NHS access improves across West Cumbria”

One of the biggest worries people have as they get older is what happens if they need care. You can work hard all your life, pay into the system, save what you can and perhaps own your home – and then find yourself facing enormous care bills because you need help with the most basicContinue reading “Weekly Column – 07.10.2026 -Building a better retirement for all pensioners”