Category Archives: Uncategorized

New Renal and Gynaecology Units will offer an improved environment and expanded facilities for patients at West Cumberland Hospital. NHS England has confirmed that North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) has secured £5.6m to create new Renal and Gynaecology units at the hospital in Whitehaven. While West Cumberland Hospital has undergone significant redevelopmentContinue reading “Over £5m funding confirmed for Renal and Gynaecology services at West Cumberland Hospital”

Josh MacAlister MP has welcomed new figures showing that 2,546 additional children across north and west Cumbria have successfully applied for and been accepted onto free school meals following the Government’s expansion of eligibility. The change came into force at the start of the new school year and means that all children living in householdsContinue reading “MP celebrates over 2,500 more children getting free school meals across north and west Cumbria”

One of the most frustrating parts of being an MP is meeting people who have done everything right, only to be badly let down by someone they trusted. Over the last couple of years, my office has heard from local residents whose lives have been turned upside down by rogue traders. People have handed overContinue reading “Weekly Column – 30.09.2026 – Cracking down on rogue traders”

Josh MacAlister MP has welcomed the launch of a £9.8 million regeneration programme for Egremont, describing it as “a major vote of confidence in the town’s future.” The programme, led by Cumberland Council and the Egremont Town Team, will deliver a series of projects to revitalise the town centre, including bringing the long-derelict Red LionContinue reading “Josh MacAlister MP welcomes £10 million regeneration boost for Egremont”

For several years, Griffin Close GP surgery in Frizington has stood closed because of staffing pressures. Next year, those doors will reopen. Working with ministers and North Cumbria Primary Care – Fellview, we have secured over £300,000 to upgrade the surgery and bring it back into use. Through a new partnership with the Pears CumbriaContinue reading “Weekly Column – 23.09.2026 – Improving access to primary care in West Cumbria”

Griffin Close Surgery in Frizington is set to reopen next year following £336,000 of government investment and joint work between Josh MacAlister MP, North Cumbria Primary Care Alliance – Fellview and Pears Cumbria School of Medicine to bring the building back into use and recruit more doctors to West Cumbria. The surgery has been closedContinue reading “Frizington GP surgery to reopen following £336,000 investment and new doctor recruitment partnership”

For more than two years, I have been trying to solve a problem that should never have been allowed to become so difficult: the orange water pouring into Whitehaven Harbour and, for the last year, the closure of Bransty Tunnel. This week, we finally got there. With government support, Network Rail has been able toContinue reading “Weekly Column – 16.09.2026 – A win for West Cumbria and a wake up call for Whitehall”

Josh MacAlister MP has announced a major £60 million Network Rail investment to get Bransty Tunnel reopened and tackle the orange water flowing into Whitehaven Harbour, following two years of work to find a solution. It is believed to be the largest single emergency resolution delivered by Network Rail in the last decade.  A permanentContinue reading “£60m solution secured to reopen rail tunnel and tackle harbour water”

The Prime Minister came to Parliament last week to set out the direction the Government will take in the months and years ahead. At its heart is a simple idea: people should have more control over the places they live, government should focus relentlessly on the everyday pressures families face, and every part of BritainContinue reading “Weekly Column – 09.09.2026 – Making government work for West Cumbria”

The Ofsted report for West Lakes Academy makes for very difficult reading. It is clear that pupils have not seen the improvement they should have since the school was placed into special measures last year, and parents are entitled to expect much better. I have been closely monitoring the situation at West Lakes Academy forContinue reading “Statement: West Lakes Academy’s Ofsted report”