A powerful exhibition of artwork created by care-experienced young people from north and west Cumbria has been showcased in Parliament, thanks to local MPs.

The Re-write the Narrative exhibition, which brings together artwork, poetry, photography and creative installations, was hosted by Whitehaven & Workington MP and Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister and Carlisle MP Julie Minns in Parliament this week, giving MPs and visitors the opportunity to hear the voices and experiences of care-experienced young people from across Cumberland.

Originally exhibited at Carlisle’s Tullie Museum and Art Gallery before moving to Whitehaven earlier this year, Re-write the Narrative provides a deeply personal insight into the lives, memories and experiences of young people who have spent time in care.

Developed with the support of Cumberland Council’s Youth Voice team, the project gives care-experienced young people a platform to express themselves creatively, challenge stereotypes and change the way society thinks about children and young people in care.

The project has already helped to shine a light on the importance of relationships, sibling connections and community support for children and young people in care.

Josh MacAlister MP, Minister for Children and Families, said:

“Every child deserves to feel loved, supported and listened to, but too often the voices of young people who have experienced care are missing from the conversations and decisions that affect their lives.

“That’s why I was so proud to bring this brilliant exhibition, created by young people here in north and west Cumbria, to the heart of Parliament.

“The artwork is incredibly powerful. It tells stories of challenges, relationships, hope and resilience, and challenges us to look beyond labels and see the individuals behind them.

“As Children’s Minister, I’m determined that we do more to listen to care-experienced young people and make sure they have the relationships, opportunities and support they need to thrive.

“I want to thank every young person who has contributed to this exhibition, and Cumberland Council’s Youth Voice team for helping them share their stories. They should be enormously proud of what they’ve achieved.”

Julie Minns MP, Member of Parliament for Carlisle, said:

“It was a real privilege to see the work of these talented young people from our part of Cumbria on display in Parliament.

“Each piece tells a unique and deeply personal story, challenging assumptions about what it means to grow up in care and reminding us of the importance of listening to young people’s experiences.

“I’m incredibly proud that young people from our county are making their voices heard on a national stage, and I hope their work inspires everyone who sees it to think differently about care experience.”

Councillor Emma Williamson, Deputy Leader of Cumberland Council and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Family Wellbeing and Housing, said:

“To see the work of our care-experienced young people exhibited in Parliament is a fantastic achievement and a moment of real pride for Cumberland.

“From the beginning, Re-write the Narrative has been about giving young people the opportunity to tell their own stories, in their own words, and to challenge the stereotypes and misconceptions that too often surround care experience.

“These young people have shown tremendous courage and creativity in sharing their experiences, and I’m delighted that their voices are now being heard in the heart of our democracy.

“I also want to pay tribute to our Youth Voice team, who have worked so hard to support the young people involved and help bring this wonderful project to life.”

The exhibition forms part of Cumberland Council’s wider work to ensure cared-for and care-experienced young people have a meaningful say in the decisions and services that affect their lives.

One young person involved in the project described its importance, saying:

“Being part of the Re-write the Narrative exhibition makes me feel strong. It gives each of us a creative space to tell our stories on being care experienced, which, for me, has shaped a lot of who I am today. It’s given me the chance to tell my story.”

A lot of people ask what an MP does at weekends. With Parliament keeping me in Westminster from Monday to Thursday (outside recess), Fridays and weekends are my chance to get around West Cumbria, listen to people and champion our communities. Here’s a snapshot of what I got up to last weekend.

Friday began at Every Life Matters’ workplace suicide prevention conference. Suicide rates are far too high locally, and this charity’s work with employers is vital.

At Balfour Beatty, we discussed Powering West Cumbria, the nuclear supply chain and how local firms can help develop skills and regenerate our towns. In Gosforth, I saw the beautifully refurbished village library, funded by Historic England, with the village hall itself due to reopen next year. The contractors have done a brilliant job.

Then came a meeting with the National Trust, Myerscough College and others about plans for a rural skills hub to train future farmers, foresters and rangers right here in West Cumbria, which I’m really excited about and determined to deliver.

I visited Johnson House in Whitehaven to see residents’ wonderful Remembrance poppy display, before finishing with my monthly advice surgery, helping constituents with complex problems.

Saturday included a coffee morning in Stainburn, with residents from across Workington, one of several I hold each month across West Cumbria. In Egremont, I joined Councillor Sam Pollen for a street surgery, knocking on doors and hearing residents’ concerns. I want to come to you, not just expect you to come to me. Those street surgeries happen most weekends, and we spoke to dozens of people about local and national issues.

I also joined veterans, Army, Sea and Air Cadets, and volunteers from Workington and Bransty Royal British Legion branches collecting for the Poppy Appeal in Whitehaven and Workington. Thank you to everyone who has given their time across West Cumbria.

There was also time for a run with Harley, a local teenager running every day this month for Workington charity No Rainbows Without Rain. His determination is inspiring, and I was pleased to join him and make a donation to his cause. I’m also a big fan of NRWR and recently supported the charity with a coffee morning that raised £150.

Saturday evening brought a moving fundraiser at Whitehaven Rugby League Club in memory of Chris Todd, raising money for brain tumour research. Thank you to Audrey, Vicky, Chloe and the whole family for organising a wonderful tribute.

On Sunday, I attended Remembrance services in Whitehaven and Workington, representing our community and the Government. Seeing so many people honour those who served and sacrificed so much was deeply moving.

It was especially poignant following this week’s announcement of funding for new veterans’ support centres across Cumbria through the Government’s VALOUR programme, with local support beginning early next year.

Busy? Absolutely. But being visible, accessible and working alongside people across West Cumbria is the best part of this job.

West Cumbrian MP and Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister has announced new government rules to make schools genuinely mobile phone-free, delivering on a campaign he began when he was first elected to Parliament.

The MP for Whitehaven and Workington made the announcement in a statement to the House of Commons today (Tuesday 10th November), confirming that schools across England will be expected to ensure pupils cannot access their mobile phones at any point during the school day.

The move builds on Josh’s longstanding campaign to protect children from the harmful effects of excessive smartphone use. Before becoming a government minister, he proposed tough new measures as part of his Safer Phones Bill, which he introduced to Parliament shortly after his election in 2024.

Under the strengthened guidance, schools will be expected to go beyond policies which simply require phones to be kept out of sight. Instead, they will need to ensure phones are securely stored and inaccessible throughout the school day.

Schools will have flexibility over how they achieve this, including collecting phones at the start of the day, providing secure lockers or using lockable pouches. Appropriate exemptions will remain for children with medical needs or special educational needs and disabilities.

The revised statutory guidance will come into effect in September 2027, although schools will be encouraged to introduce stronger arrangements sooner.

The announcement follows new Department for Education research showing that just 16% of secondary school pupils say their school’s mobile phone rules are followed all of the time.

Research also shows that schools with stronger arrangements find it much easier to enforce the rules. While only 20% of school leaders operating policies that allow phones to remain in bags or blazers say the rules are always followed, that figure rises to 74% where phones are collected.

Josh MacAlister MP said:

“I’ve been campaigning for stronger protections for children from smartphones since I was first elected as West Cumbria’s MP, so I’m incredibly proud to have stood at the despatch box today to announce that we’re taking this important step.

“Schools should be places where children can concentrate on learning, build friendships and enjoy being young, without the constant distraction of smartphones and social media.

“Teachers shouldn’t have to spend their time policing phones hidden under desks, and children shouldn’t be spending their breaks scrolling through social media when they could be talking, playing and making friends.

“Many schools in West Cumbria and across the country are already doing excellent work to tackle this problem. These changes will give every headteacher the backing they need to make their school a genuinely phone-free environment.

“This is about giving children the space to learn, develop and enjoy their school days, while making sure technology works for them rather than the other way around.”

My letter submitted to this week’s Whitehaven News and Times & Star:

I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone across West Cumbria who helped organise and took part in this year’s Remembrance events and Poppy Appeal.

Remembrance is one of the most important moments in our national calendar. It’s a time to come together, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and thank those who have served and continue to serve.

I particularly want to pay tribute to our Royal British Legion branches across West Cumbria, and the many veterans and volunteers who work tirelessly, not just during the Poppy Appeal but throughout the year, to support our Armed Forces community.

It was a privilege to join volunteers collecting for the Poppy Appeal in Whitehaven and Workington this year, alongside veterans and young people from our Army, Sea and Air Cadets. Our cadet forces were out in strength at events across West Cumbria, and they deserve enormous credit.

Thank you, too, to our town and parish councils, community organisations and everyone else who helped organise Remembrance services and parades, and to everyone who donated, wore a poppy or turned out to pay their respects.

It was an honour to join the Remembrance events in Whitehaven and Workington and lay wreaths as your MP on behalf of the whole community, Parliament and the Government. And I thank councillors’ Pollen and Eldon for laying wreaths on my behalf in Egremont and Cleator Moor.

But our responsibility to those who have served cannot end when the wreaths have been laid.

There are few more important priorities for a government than making sure we look after those who put their lives on the line for the safety and security of our country.

That’s why I’m so proud, as your MP, to have helped secure new veterans’ support services in West Cumbria and across the county through the Government’s VALOUR programme.

From early next year, new services in Whitehaven, Workington and across Cumbria will make it easier for veterans and their families to get help with health, housing, welfare, education, employment and other issues.

It’s an important investment in making sure those who have served our country can get the support they deserve, close to home.

To everyone who contributed to Remembrance this year, thank you. We will remember them.

Young people who have been in care will be better protected from falling into homelessness with new duties on councils to support young people as they step out of care and towards independent living.

The Care Leaver Homelessness Reduction Action Plan, launched at the start of Care Leavers Month 2026, declares that no young person should become homeless when they leave care. It also gives clear new duties to local authorities to prevent that from happening.

Currently, too many young people lose their support overnight when they leave care. Without family to fall back on, they can face poor mental health, money worries, a lack of jobs or education, and too few suitable homes.

Under new rules, local authorities are required to publish their plans for care leavers’ accommodation needs, work with housing partners, and support those at risk of homelessness in their local offer for care leavers. Additionally, care leavers can no longer be found intentionally homeless, which is currently a barrier to getting much-needed assistance that fails to reflect their particular circumstances.

The Plan also encourages local authorities to publish local targets and what support is available for young people at risk of homelessness and commits targeted support and advice to areas of higher risk, overseen by MHCLG youth homelessness advisers.

It follows the Prime Minister setting out his confidence last week that everyone sleeping rough will be offered a route off the streets before Christmas, as he brought businesses, charities and local leaders together for the first Rough Sleeping Summit at Downing Street to drive further action from across society. At the Budget, the government also announced new funding to sustain this support through the rest of this Parliament.

Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister said:

“Supporting young people who have been in care is a vital part of our national mission to end rough sleeping.

“Too many care leavers step into adulthood without a strong support network around them, and homelessness can be one of the tragic consequences.

“We’re changing children’s social care from top to bottom, making enduring relationships the focus of the system and expanding support for care leavers to help ensure they have a place to call home.”

Minister for Homelessness, Florence Eshalomi, said:

“Our commitment to tackling homelessness is about so much more than offering a bed to sleep in, or a roof over someone’s head: it’s about preventing people from ever reaching that point in the first place.

“That’s why we’re launching this plan to make sure young people leaving care don’t face a cliff edge just when they need support most.

“These measures will give care leavers the support and opportunities they need as they move out of care and start their adult lives.”

The number of care leavers aged 18 to 24 in England has risen to 86,890, up almost 10% in two years, and they remain over-represented in the homelessness system. The plan aims to halve the number of care experienced people who are homeless.

The government’s Action Plan:

• builds on rules introduced in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act this year, under which local authorities are required to publish their plans to support care leavers at risk of homelessness in their local offer, and certain care leavers under 25 can no longer be found intentionally homeless. Wider rules mean they also no longer have to meet local connection tests to get social housing;
• expects councils to publish clearly what housing and support they offer care leavers, to plan ahead for their accommodation needs and to work with local housing teams;
• brings together the guidance, tools, resources and support available to local authorities and their partners to help strengthen local prevention activity, including a new guide for councils entitled Planning Housing Pathways for Care Leavers, updated guidance on joint working between housing and children’s services, guidance on young people who stay with their foster carers after 18, a new youth homelessness prevention toolkit, and a new Homelessness Code of Guidance youth chapter. In 2027, there will be updated guidance on social housing allocations;

• introduces a new £3m Test, Learn, Grow programme focussed on youth homelessness prevention

The plan builds on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026. Staying Close, which helps care leavers find and keep a safe home and access health, education and work up to the age of 25, is already running in 50 areas and will become a national duty on councils for care leavers up to 25 from 2029.

From autumn 2027, government departments and public bodies will also become corporate parents, with a duty to work together with councils to support care leavers.

The new Plan also follows the government’s Review of early deaths of care leavers, published on 25 August, which highlighted the isolation many young people face when they leave care.

Seyi Obakin, Chief Executive Officer at Centrepoint said:

“We warmly welcome the Government’s spotlight on care leavers as they continue to face a greater risk of experiencing homelessness.

“We know that the number of care leavers aged 18–20 assessed as facing homelessness in England increased by 37% over the past five years. These young people often leave care without the safety net of a family or supportive network around them and need help to transition into adulthood.

“Roughly 48% of the young people we support have been in care. They often have no choice but to deal with the challenges and responsibilities of living independently at a young age, so the launch of this new action plan will help focus efforts and provide an important opportunity to strengthen the support available to them.

“We stand ready to play our part and work collectively with Government and our partners to make sure it’s implemented.  For us, this means ensuring young people have access to safe, stable and genuinely affordable housing, alongside the financial, practical and emotional support they need to sustain a home and build an independent life.

“Every young person deserves the solid foundations of a home from which to thrive and build a future.”

Louise Mumcular, Policy Officer at Coram said:

“We welcome publication of the government’s Care Leaver Homelessness Reduction Action Plan. For too long, care experienced young people have faced disproportionately high risks of homelessness, often at a time when they are navigating the challenges of adulthood without the support networks many of their peers rely on. Every year our Coram Voice advocacy service provides support to hundreds of care leavers every year across the country, and housing is the most common issue for which young people seek support.

“The commitments announced today are important steps in the right direction. We particularly welcome the government’s recognition that no young person should become homeless as a result of leaving care.

“Ambitious national targets will only be achieved if they are backed by sufficient investment, consistent implementation across local areas, access to suitable and affordable housing, and meaningful support that helps young people sustain tenancies and thrive. It will be particularly important to strengthen support at key transition points and moments of vulnerability, such as when young people move home, leave education or training, or experience a breakdown in living arrangements. Every care-experienced young person must have not just a roof over their head, but a safe, stable and supportive home.”

Cumbria’s Labour MPs have secured Government backing for a new network of veterans support centres, bringing specialist help closer to thousands of former service personnel and their families.

The successful bid will see a flagship VALOUR centre established in Penrith, supported by local centres in Carlisle, Barrow, Grange, Kendal, Whitehaven and Workington.

The investment follows a joint campaign by Cumbria’s Labour MPs, who pressed the Government to ensure the county’s large veteran population received its fair share of funding.

More than 5% of Cumbria’s adult population have served in the Armed Forces, among the highest proportions in the country. But accessing specialist support can be difficult, particularly for veterans living in rural and coastal communities.

The new centres will make it easier to get help with healthcare, housing, employment, benefits and wellbeing, without having to travel long distances or navigate multiple services.

The rollout of the second phase of centres announced today forms part of the Labour Government’s £50 million VALOUR programme, and will more than double the national network of recognised veterans support organisations.

The successful Cumbrian bid was developed by Westmorland and Furness and Cumberland Councils, supported by the Cumbria Armed Forces Families Alliance and backed by the county’s MPs.

Michelle Scrogham MP (Barrow and Furness), a member of the Defence Committee, said:

“This is a fantastic result for Cumbria’s veterans and their families, and something we’ve worked hard together to secure.

“We made the case directly to Government that a county with such strong Armed Forces connections deserved better access to dedicated support.

“With Remembrance Sunday approaching, this is a practical demonstration of our commitment to those who have served.”

Markus Campbell-Savours MP (Penrith and Solway) said:

“I’m delighted we’ve secured this investment, with Penrith at the heart of the new Cumbrian network.

“Our veterans have served their country, and they deserve to know that support will be there when they need it. This is a major step forward.”

Julie Minns MP (Carlisle) said:

“I am delighted we have secured VALOUR for our county and for our veteran community here in Carlisle and North Cumbria.

“It means veterans across Carlisle and our wider region will get the direct support, help and connection they rightfully deserve. Our service personnel have given so much for us, and this hub ensures we are delivering the vital care and recognition they and their families need.”

Josh MacAlister MP (Whitehaven and Workington) said:

“We’ve fought to secure this investment because veterans in West Cumbria deserve proper support close to home.

“New centres in Whitehaven and Workington mean people won’t have to travel miles to get help with housing, health, work or benefits.

“Our Armed Forces veterans have given a great deal to this country. Making sure we’re there for them when they need us is the least we can do.”

Lizzi Collinge MP (Morecambe and Lunesdale) said:

“I’m pleased to have backed this successful bid, which will also benefit veterans and Armed Forces families in Morecambe and Lunesdale.

“Together with the investment already secured for veterans services in Lancashire, this means better support across our region.”

The MPs thanked the Cumbria Armed Forces Families Alliance, both councils and the local veterans organisations, charities and community groups who helped develop the successful proposal.

The new centres will form part of the nationwide VALOUR network, which is expanding from 14 to 34 recognised organisations, backed by an additional £13.2 million, with the latest centres due to launch in early 2027.

The centres will provide safe, welcoming and accessible spaces for veterans, serving personnel and their families, helping them access support, build social connections and navigate services more effectively. The investment is expected to improve outcomes in health, employment, housing and wellbeing while reducing the inequalities in access to support that have historically affected many veterans living in Cumbria.

Further information is available at www.gov.uk/valour

I know how tightly many household budgets are stretched. The cost of heating a home, filling the car and doing the weekly shop adds up quickly.

That is why the Chancellor’s Budget last week focused on giving families some breathing space.

In January, eligible households in council tax bands A to D will receive a £100 payment towards energy costs. That covers around 44,650 properties in our towns and villages, roughly 95 per cent of local homes. If you pay your council tax by direct debit you don’t need to do anything, this will be paid directly into your bank account. Otherwise, the council will be in touch.

The Government has also extended the cut in VAT on household electricity to zero until July, taking around £50 off the annual energy price cap. That’s in addition to the roughly £150 in costs we permanently took off all bills this year and the £150 Warm Home Discount we’ve extended to about a third of all households in West Cumbria this winter, making sure the poorest get extra help. And, for pensioners, the Winter Fuel Allowance of up to £300 remains.

Fuel duty will be frozen again, with the 5p-per-litre cut extended to July too. The lower duty on red diesel will also continue, helping our farmers.

Looking ahead, Ofgem has been asked to abolish household gas standing charges, with costs moved into unit prices. This is expected to save around 60% of gas customers another £45 per year. And we’re committed to doing the same for electricity and removing further policy costs from your bills.

I have already heard understandable questions. What about a family in a band E home struggling just as much? Or a household that relies on heating oil or LPG rather than mains gas or electricity?

Last year, I and other local MPs secured a three year, £10 million Crisis & Resilience Fund for Cumberland Council. Earlier this year we got extra money to support households reliant on heating oil and LPG and in last week’s Budget we got more money to go into the pot next year. This discretionary funding can be accessed by those in need to help with the costs of housing, heating, food or other needs. I’d urge anyone who is struggling to reach out to the council or my office for help.

No single policy can reflect every household’s circumstances. But public money is not unlimited. The responsibility of government is to use it where it can do the most good, reaching as many people facing pressure as possible, without pretending that everyone’s costs can be met. These measures should offer a little bit of breathing space for the majority of people at a difficult time.

There is more to do. My job is to keep making West Cumbria’s case, while ensuring people feel the benefit of decisions made now.

Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister has written to the Environment Secretary following his latest roundtable meeting with local farmers, held in partnership with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).

The meeting was part of a series of regular discussions Josh holds with local farmers to hear directly about the challenges facing their businesses and the support they need from government.

A wide range of farming issues were discussed, with a key focus on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). Farmers raised a number of concerns about the scheme and put forward practical suggestions for how it could be improved, alongside other issues affecting the future of farming in West Cumbria.

Josh committed to raising every concern and suggestion directly with the Environment Secretary, Dame Angela Eagle, and has now written to her setting out the points made during the meeting.

The Government has committed to introducing a new SFI scheme in 2027, scrapping the first-come, first-served application process and working with farming organisations to develop a fairer and simpler system.

Josh MacAlister MP said:

“Farming is hugely important to West Cumbria. Our farmers work incredibly hard, often in difficult conditions, producing the food we rely on and looking after our countryside.

“That’s why I get out visiting as many local germs as I can and hold regular meetings with local farmers, working alongside the NFU, so I can hear directly from them about the issues affecting their livelihoods and what needs to change.

“We covered a lot of ground at our latest meeting, but one of the big issues was the Sustainable Farming Incentive. I heard some real frustration. The Government has committed to changing the system for next year, including getting rid of the first-come, first-served approach. But it’s important that those changes are informed by the people who actually work the land.

“I’ll continue working closely with our local farmers and the NFU to make sure their voices are heard and that government support works for farming businesses here in West Cumbria.”

Dame Angela Eagle MP, Environment Secretary, said:

“I want to thank Josh for bringing local farmers together. Josh is a strong champion for local farmers, making sure their concerns and ideas are heard at the heart of Government.

“As we develop SFI27, I want farmers in West Cumbria to know that I’m listening to their views and determined to create a fairer scheme that gives them the confidence to invest in both the long-term future of their businesses and the natural environment.”

Catherine Stokes, County Adviser for Cumbria for the NFU, said:

“We welcome the opportunity to meet regularly with Josh and discuss the issues that matter to farmers across West Cumbria.

“There are some real concerns in the farming community about the future of SFI, particularly the need for a fairer application process and greater certainty so farmers can plan ahead and invest in their businesses.

“It’s important that farmers’ experiences and practical suggestions are taken into account when decisions are made about the next scheme.

“We appreciate Josh taking the time to listen and following up on the issues raised directly with the Secretary of State. We’ll continue working with him to make sure the needs of local farming businesses are properly understood.”

West Cumbrian MP Josh MacAlister and Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen have backed new powers to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour following a joint walkabout with neighbourhood police officers in Workington town centre.

Josh and Dave joined members of Cumbria Police’s neighbourhood policing team last week to speak directly with residents and local businesses about their concerns over anti-social behaviour and the impact it is having on the town.

It comes as new Respect Orders have come into force, giving police and other authorities stronger powers to deal with persistent offenders.

The orders, introduced by the Government, allow courts to ban adults responsible for repeated anti-social behaviour from certain activities and require offenders to address the causes of their behaviour.

Breaching a Respect Order is a criminal offence, meaning offenders can be arrested and face fines, community sentences or, in the most serious cases, up to two years in prison.

Josh and Dave also visited YAZ, a new community space in the town centre for under 18s, which was part funded by the Commissioner’s office and offers young people a safe place to hang out and socialise.

Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said:

“Anti-social behaviour is a real problem in Workington and I know how fed up people are with it.

“Walking around the town centre with Dave and the neighbourhood policing team, we heard directly from residents and businesses about their concerns. People want to feel safe coming into town, and businesses shouldn’t have to put up with behaviour that drives customers away.

“I know our local police officers are working hard to tackle these problems, but they need the right tools to deal with those who repeatedly cause trouble.

“These new Respect Orders are another useful tool in the police’s arsenal. They mean tougher consequences for persistent offenders, while also helping to address the problems behind their behaviour.

“I’ll keep working with Dave, the police and local businesses to make sure we’re doing everything we can to tackle anti-social behaviour and make Workington town centre a place everyone feels comfortable visiting.”

David Allen, Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:

“It was really useful to join Josh and our neighbourhood policing officers in Workington and hear directly from residents and businesses about the problems they’re facing.

“Anti-social behaviour might be dismissed by some as a minor issue, but for people who have to put up with it day after day, it can have a huge impact on their lives and livelihoods.

“Our neighbourhood officers are working hard to tackle these issues, and I want to make sure they have the support and powers they need to get results.

“These new Respect Orders are a welcome addition to the options available to police and our partners, particularly when dealing with individuals who repeatedly cause problems.

“It was also great to visit YAZ and see lots of young people using the space. I helped to fund this as a way to get young people off the streets and give them somewhere to hang out without getting into trouble, which is one of the ways we will address anti-social behaviour.

“People in Workington deserve to feel safe and supported, and I’ll continue working closely with Josh, Cumbria Police and local partners to tackle the issues residents are raising.”

The new powers form part of wider government action to tackle anti-social behaviour, including stronger penalties for breaching Public Spaces Protection Orders and Community Protection Notices, and extended dispersal powers to help police deal with trouble in public places.

Last weekend’s severe weather has been a timely reminder of just how quickly storms can disrupt life here in West Cumbria.

With Storm Boelo bringing powerful winds, heavy rain and flooding along our coastline, many residents will understandably be concerned about what the coming winter might bring.

We’ve seen before how storms can leave communities without electricity, cut off roads, damage homes and businesses and disrupt communications. And while we cannot prevent severe weather, there is plenty we can do to prepare for it.

That’s why the Government has launched its new Be Ready campaign, encouraging households to take simple, practical steps to prepare for emergencies.

The advice is straightforward. Try to keep enough essentials at home to manage for three days if services are disrupted. That might include bottled water, non-perishable food, medication, a torch, warm blankets, a battery-powered radio and a charged phone power bank.

You don’t need to buy everything at once. Many households will already have much of what’s needed, and you can build up supplies gradually.

I’d also encourage anyone eligible to join the free Priority Services Register, which helps electricity, gas and water companies identify people who may need extra support during outages. This is particularly important for older people, those with disabilities or medical conditions, and families with young children.

But preparedness isn’t just about what we do individually. It’s about making our communities and infrastructure more resilient too.

Last year, I brought renowned flooding campaigner Mary Long-Dhonau, better known as Flood Mary, and her Floodmobile to West Cumbria to help residents and businesses understand how to protect their properties.

I also regularly bring together local partners with electricity and telecommunications providers to press for improvements to mobile connectivity and network resilience, particularly in rural communities where power cuts can leave people unable to use either their mobiles or digital landlines.

I’ve been pushing operators to improve backup power at mobile masts and ensure vulnerable residents aren’t left isolated when storms strike.

Nationally, the Government is investing £1.4 billion in flood defences this year, alongside major investment to make our roads and railways more resilient to severe weather.

That investment matters, but so does the community spirit we’ve seen time and again when West Cumbria faces difficult weather. Neighbours checking on neighbours, volunteers stepping forward and emergency workers going above and beyond.

As winter approaches, please take a few minutes to think about how prepared your household is, and whether someone nearby might need a helping hand.

I’ve pulled together lots of links and contacts where you can find information, advice and support on my website at joshmacalister.uk/beready. If you’re not online, call my office on 01946 458023.

A little preparation now can make a big difference when the next storm arrives.