Category Archives: Uncategorized

Children and families across Cumbria will benefit from a landmark £4 billion national investment to transform support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), ensuring every mainstream school is equipped to meet additional needs. The funding, announced alongside the government’s schools white paper, ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’, represents a generational reform ofContinue reading “£4 billion SEND investment to deliver earlier, local support for Cumbrian families”

Four west Cumbrian schools are being praised after being recognised as some of the strongest performers nationally for outcomes achieved by disadvantaged pupils. Bookwell Primary School in Egremont, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Whitehaven, St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School in Workington and Beckstone Primary School in Workington were identified as being among the top-performingContinue reading “Local schools praised for best in country results”

National Apprenticeship Week last week was a good moment to stop and recognise something we do incredibly well here in West Cumbria. We train more apprentices than almost anywhere else in the country. That doesn’t happen by accident. It’s down to the hard work of local colleges, training providers, employers and, most importantly, the youngContinue reading “Weekly Column – 18.02.2026 – Championing our brilliant apprentices”

Josh MacAlister MP has welcomed confirmation from the Environment Agency that St. Bees has been designated a priority bathing water site following its recent reclassification from Excellent to Good. After raising concerns about the downgrade, Josh requested further investigation into the causes of the change in water quality. The Environment Agency has now completed DNAContinue reading “Action plan to restore St. Bees bathing water rating”

A cancer diagnosis changes your life in an instant. Almost every family in West Cumbria will know someone who has faced that moment – or will in the future. How quickly and well we are treated can make the difference between life and death. That is why the National Cancer Plan, published last week, mattersContinue reading “Weekly Column – 11.02.2026 – Why the National Cancer Plan matters for West Cumbria”

Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister has welcomed the Labour Government’s announcement that ground rents will be capped at £250 a year, calling it a “long overdue step that will make a real difference to leaseholders in West Cumbria.” The Government confirmed the cap as part of a wider package of measures. Josh MacAlister MPContinue reading “Josh MacAlister MP welcomes Labour’s plan to protect leaseholders in West Cumbria”

– Advanced Nuclear Framework to support delivery of new nuclear at Pioneer Park, creating jobs and accelerating local growth West Cumbria is set to play a leading role in the UK’s next generation of nuclear power, following the publication today of the Government’s new Advanced Nuclear Framework. The Framework provides a clear route to marketContinue reading “Government backing to unlock advanced nuclear at Pioneer Park in West Cumbria”

Read my press release on this announcement here When I travel around West Cumbria, I’m always struck by the same thing: the strength of our communities, and the quiet commitment of people who step up for others without fuss or fanfare. Foster carers are among them. Every day, foster families across the country open theirContinue reading “Weekly Column – 04.02.2026 – Expanding fostering in Cumbria and across England”

Josh MacAlister, Labour MP for Whitehaven and Workington and Minister for Children and Families, has today set out how the Government’s new Fostering Action Plan will strengthen support for foster carers and help more children grow up in stable, loving family homes in Cumbria and across the country. Read my column for this week’s WhitehavenContinue reading “Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister sets out plan to renew fostering in Cumbria and across England”

Hospice at Home West Cumbria has received £51,073 in additional government funding, helping to support the refurbishment of its new headquarters in Workington. This funding builds on more than £100,000 of NHS capital funding allocated last year and will help create improved facilities for patients, families, staff and volunteers. The refurbishment will include new officeContinue reading “Hospice at Home West Cumbria receives £51,073 to support new Workington headquarters”