Families in Workington are set to benefit from a new government-funded breakfast club at Northside Primary School, announced as part of the next phase of the national rollout.

The programme will ensure pupils can start the school day with a healthy breakfast in a calm, supportive environment – helping children to be ready to learn and giving parents greater peace of mind at the start of the day.

Josh MacAlister MP welcomed the announcement, highlighting the practical difference the scheme will make for local families.

“A good start to the day makes a real difference,” Josh MacAlister said.

“For too many families, mornings are a rush and the cost of living continues to bite. Breakfast clubs are a simple, sensible way to support children while also easing pressure on parents.”

The breakfast club at Northside Primary School will be funded by the government and delivered by the school, ensuring children have access to nutritious food before lessons begin. Evidence from existing programmes shows that breakfast clubs can improve attendance, behaviour and attainment, particularly for pupils who need extra support.

Josh MacAlister MP added:

“This is about backing working families and giving every child the chance to thrive, whatever their background. I’m pleased to see Northside Primary included in this next phase and will continue to work locally to make sure children in Workington get the support they deserve.”

500 schools across the country will get new breakfast clubs from April. The rollout forms part of the government’s wider commitment to improve child wellbeing and reduce barriers to learning across the country. 

Whitehaven will have access to a wider set of face-to-face banking services after Cash Access UK confirmed that a Banking Hub is coming to the town.

The announcement follows the decision by Santander to close its Whitehaven branch, which had been the last remaining high street bank in the town. The new Banking Hub will provide counter services, cash access and in-person support for customers of multiple banks, helping residents and businesses continue to bank locally.

The news marks the success of a sustained campaign led by Josh MacAlister MP, working alongside local councillors and the community. Josh raised the issue directly in Parliament in September 2024 and wrote three times to Ministers, pressing the case for Whitehaven and highlighting the impact the loss of banking services would have on residents and the local economy.

Josh MacAlister MP said:

“The loss of Santander is unfortunate but the Banking Hub is fantastic news for Whitehaven and a really important win for our community.

“I raised the need for a Banking Hub in Parliament, wrote repeatedly to Ministers and worked closely with local councillors and residents to make the strongest possible case. This announcement shows that persistence pays off.

“A Banking Hub means people will still be able to access cash, speak to someone face to face from their own bank and get the support they need without travelling miles. I’m delighted that Whitehaven will once again have proper banking provision.”

Local councillors also welcomed the announcement, saying it would make a real difference to residents and businesses.

Councillors Emma Williamson, Joe Ghayouba and Jeanette Forster said in a joint statement:

“This is excellent news for Whitehaven and a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together. The loss of the last high street bank caused real concern for residents and local traders.

“A Banking Hub will help protect access to essential services, support our town centre and ensure that people who rely on in-person banking are not left behind. We’re pleased to see the case for Whitehaven recognised and approved.”

Further details on the location and opening date of the Banking Hub will be confirmed in due course by Cash Access UK.

Local sports clubs across West Cumbria are being encouraged to work together to bid for a share of millions of pounds in new government funding to upgrade grassroots sports facilities.

The funding forms part of a £400 million UK-wide commitment to grassroots sport facilities announced in the June 2025 Spending Review. Nearly 1,000 projects across the UK have already benefited, with investment delivering new and refurbished all-weather pitches, floodlighting, changing pavilions and community sports hubs.

A further £85 million will be available in 2026/27, with £68.35 million allocated to England and delivered through the Football Foundation. Applications in England are now open on an ongoing basis.

The investment is targeted at communities with the greatest need. At least 50 per cent of funding is directed to the 30 per cent most deprived communities, with projects expected to improve access to sport for women and girls, disabled people and young people. At least 40 per cent of funded projects must offer multi-sport provision, supporting activities such as rugby and cricket alongside football.

Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said the funding represented a major opportunity for West Cumbria – but stressed that collaboration between clubs would be key to success.

“Grassroots sport is one of the best investments we can make in our communities – for young people, for physical and mental health, and for bringing people together,” he said.

“What funders are really keen to see are strong, well-prepared bids that show partnership working and wide community benefit. In West Cumbria, we have brilliant clubs doing fantastic work, and by working together – across different sports and communities – we can put forward bids that stand a much stronger chance of success.”

Josh has been bringing local sports clubs together to help them prepare for bids, share ideas and explore joint applications, including projects that deliver shared facilities or co-ordinated multi-sport provision.

He also confirmed he will be meeting with Cumberland Council and the Football Foundation to discuss how local partners can work together to ensure West Cumbria is well placed to benefit from the funding.

“I’m very happy to support local clubs with their bids – whether that’s helping make connections, raising issues with funders, or strengthening the case for investment locally,” he added.

“This is about making sure West Cumbria gets its fair share and that our facilities are fit for the future.”

Projects eligible for funding include new or refurbished artificial grass pitches, floodlighting to extend opening hours, upgraded changing facilities to support women’s and girls’ participation, and facilities that can be used by schools, health initiatives and the wider community.

Clubs, community groups and schools can apply through the Football Foundation. Further guidance is available at footballfoundation.org.uk.

The government has announced a significant package of support for pubs and music venues across West Cumbria, cutting business rates, reforming licensing rules and setting out a new High Streets Strategy to help local hospitality businesses thrive.

Pubs play a vital role in communities across West Cumbria, providing jobs, supporting local supply chains and acting as important social hubs. However, the sector has faced sustained pressure in recent years, with rising costs, changing consumer habits and the long-term impact of the pandemic.

Under the new package, pubs will receive a 15% cut to new business rates bills from April, followed by a two-year real-terms freeze. The government will also launch a review into how pubs are valued for business rates, responding to long-standing concerns raised by the sector.

As a result, the average pub is expected to save around £1,650 in 2026/27, with around 75% of pubs seeing their business rates fall or stay the same. By 2029, the pub sector as a whole will be paying 8% less in business rates than it does today.

The announcement comes alongside confirmation of a new High Streets Strategy, to be published later this year, aimed at supporting retail, leisure and hospitality businesses and strengthening town centres in places like Whitehaven, Workington, Egremont and Cleator Moor.

Commenting on the announcement, Josh MacAlister MP said:

“Pubs are at the heart of towns and villages across West Cumbria. They support local jobs, bring people together and help keep our high streets alive.

“This package is about giving pubs some breathing space – cutting business rates, reducing red tape and backing them to plan for the long term. It’s a practical step to support local businesses and the communities that rely on them.”

The government has also confirmed £10 million in funding for the Hospitality Support Fund over three years, which will help pubs provide additional community services, including cafés, village stores and family-friendly spaces, and support people furthest from the labour market into hospitality jobs.

As part of licensing reforms, pubs and other licensed venues will be able to open later for Home Nations’ matches during the later stages of this summer’s Men’s FIFA World Cup. Further consultations will look at allowing later opening for major events, as well as increasing the number of temporary events pubs can host.

The package builds on the £4.3 billion of support announced at Budget 2025, including a cap on business rate bill increases and a permanent 5p cut to the business rates multiplier for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses.

The government has also committed to consulting in the spring on loosening planning rules for pubs, making it easier for them to expand, add guest rooms or adapt their premises to meet local needs.

The Cumbrian Coast Line is not just a way of getting from A to B; it is a lifeline for communities, workers, students and visitors, and a strategic asset for our country. That is why, since being elected, I have made securing a major upgrade to the line one of my top priorities.

For too long, plans to improve the railway gathered dust. The business case for investment sat on a shelf for years, while passengers put up with unreliable services and slow journeys. One of my first actions as your MP was to get the funding and get that business case updated, unlocking progress that had been stalled for far too long.

But paperwork alone doesn’t move trains. Over the last year I have chaired multiple meetings with the Rail Minister and brought together officials from across government to focus on the Cumbrian Coast Line. This has included serious work to explore funding options that reflect the line’s national importance, not least because of the significant nuclear and defence interests it serves alongside everyday passenger services.

The most urgent next step is reopening Bransty tunnel. West Cumbrians know all too well the consequences of short-term fixes. Patch-and-mend repairs over many years are precisely what led us to the closure we face today. That is why I’ve been clear that reopening Bransty tunnel must not mean another temporary job but a full upgrade of the line through the tunnel, built to last for decades. Done properly, this can be the first phase of a wider transformation of the route.

I am confident that this argument has been heard in government. In the coming weeks, an announcement will be made on the work required to reopen Bransty tunnel, and I hope residents will be happy with the outcome.

Looking beyond the tunnel, the next big prize is a full signalling upgrade along the line. On its own, modern signalling would deliver significant improvements to reliability and journey times, making daily travel easier for passengers and giving freight and strategic users the capacity they need. Securing funding for this work in the next Spending Review is a key objective, and one I am pursuing relentlessly.

To keep momentum going, I will shortly host the next roundtable bringing together Cumbrian leaders and the Rail Minister. These discussions matter. They ensure that decisions taken in Westminster are grounded in the reality of life in West Cumbria and focused on long-term solutions, not quick fixes.

This is not an overnight job, and I won’t pretend otherwise. But after years of drift, there is now real progress, real engagement from government, and a clear plan for what comes next. I will keep fighting to make sure the Cumbrian Coast Line finally gets the investment it deserves.

Ambulances are reaching serious emergencies across West Cumbria around 10 minutes quicker than they were a year ago.

For Category 2 incidents such as heart attacks and strokes, local crews are now getting to patients about 10 minutes faster than last year, a real improvement that can make the difference between life and death.

Across the country, average waits are down by a third – from 47 to 32 minutes – following major new investment in emergency care, including an extra £450 million announced through the 2025/26 emergency care plan.

This analysis comes after last week’s news that NHS waiting lists across England fell by more than 86,000 in November, the second biggest single-month drop in 15 years.

For too long, patients were promised change in the NHS but saw very little of it. This Labour government has started to turn that around. Waiting lists are now down by more than 312,000 since we came into office – despite record numbers of people coming forward for treatment – including a drop of 1,025 in north and west Cumbria. GP satisfaction is up. A&E waits are down.

That progress has only been possible because of record investment alongside real modernisation of the NHS – and the hard work of staff right across the country. More evening and weekend appointments. Tests closer to home. Surgical hubs like the one at West Cumberland Hospital cutting backlogs. Specialist “crack teams” getting through operations faster. Millions more GP appointments. And smarter use of technology.

Commenting on the figures, Josh MacAlister MP said:

“Labour is getting our NHS back on its feet here in West Cumbria and right across the country – and you can see that change in faster ambulance responses, higher GP satisfaction, falling waiting lists and shorter waits at A&E.

“The simple fact is that quicker ambulance times like these mean better outcomes for people in West Cumbria. This is lifesaving care arriving faster when families need it most.

“But we know there is much more to do. After years of Conservative failure, our health service was left broken and too often wasn’t there when people needed it. Labour is turning that around with record investment and vital modernisation – and we completely reject Nigel Farage’s dangerous idea of scrapping the NHS and replacing it with private health insurance.

“At the General Election, people in West Cumbria voted for change. By rescuing and rebuilding our local health services, Labour is delivering on that promise.”

Josh MacAlister MP hosted Rebecca Ball, North Area Director of Arts Council England, on a visit to West Cumbria, as part of ongoing work to strengthen and expand access to arts and culture across the area.

Josh invited Rebecca to meet with local arts and cultural organisations to hear first-hand about the opportunities they create for communities, as well as the challenges they face in securing sustainable funding and reaching new audiences.

During the visit, Josh and Rebecca met with staff and volunteers at the Carnegie Theatre and Arts Centre, Soundwave, Rosehill Arts Trust, Florence Arts Centre, Prism and Everyone Here, discussing the vital role they play in education, wellbeing, local pride and the visitor economy.

The visit concluded with dinner at Muncaster Castle, providing further opportunity to discuss how national funding bodies and local partners can work together to support arts and culture in West Cumbria.

Josh MacAlister MP said:

“West Cumbria has an incredible range of creative talent and cultural organisations that make a real difference to people’s lives. From giving young people opportunities to discover music and theatre, to attracting visitors and supporting our local economy, these organisations are central to our community.

“By bringing Arts Council England to West Cumbria, I want to make sure our area is firmly on the map when it comes to future investment. Expanding access to arts and culture shouldn’t be something only available in big cities – everyone should be able to benefit, wherever they live.”

Rebecca Ball, North Area Director of Arts Council England, said:

“It was a real pleasure to visit West Cumbria and to see the breadth of creative work taking place across the area. The organisations we visited are deeply rooted in their communities and clearly ambitious about reaching more people.

“Arts Council England is committed to continue supporting cultural organisations in West Cumbria, and visits like this are invaluable in helping us understand local priorities and how our investment can have the greatest impact.”

In a joint statement, the Carnegie Theatre and Arts Centre, Soundwave, Rosehill Arts Trust and Florence Arts Centre said:

“We were delighted to welcome Josh MacAlister MP and Arts Council England to West Cumbria. Our organisations work with thousands of local people every year – from children and young people discovering creativity for the first time, to audiences, artists and volunteers of all ages.

“Like many cultural organisations, we face real challenges around funding, rising costs and long-term sustainability. Having the opportunity to share both our challenges and our ambitions directly with Arts Council England is hugely important. We look forward to continuing to work together to ensure arts and culture remain accessible, inclusive and thriving across West Cumbria.”

Josh will continue to work with Arts Council England and cultural partners to make the case for greater investment in arts and culture across West Cumbria, ensuring that local organisations and projects have the support they need to grow and succeed.

Pioneer Park was proudly showcased at Nuclear Week in Parliament this week, with a strong and positive response to ambitious plans for a new nuclear-led clean energy park in West Cumbria.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to highlight the scale of the opportunity at Pioneer Park and the role the site can play in supporting the UK’s clean energy and nuclear ambitions. There was significant interest from nuclear developers and industry partners, underlining both the credibility of the proposals and the growing appetite to invest in West Cumbria.

Pioneer Park is central to plans to drive long-term economic growth in the area, creating high-quality jobs, supporting skills development, and ensuring West Cumbria remains at the forefront of clean energy innovation.

Josh MacAlister MP said:

“Pioneer Park shows what West Cumbria has to offer when we are clear about our ambition and serious about delivery.

“Nuclear Week was a chance to put West Cumbria firmly on the map, and the level of interest from developers was incredibly encouraging. There is real momentum behind these plans, and that matters because it means jobs, skills and investment for our community.

“This is about doing things properly – laying strong foundations now so that we can unlock long-term opportunities and ensure West Cumbria plays a leading role in the UK’s clean energy future.”

The strong interest at Nuclear Week builds on progress already underway, including the next steps toward developing a Masterplan for the Pioneer Park site. Local development corporation BEC is leading the process to select an organisation to produce the Masterplan, with the selection phase due to conclude in mid-February.

This work forms part of a £1 million investment to kickstart the development of Pioneer Park, helping move the project from concept to delivery by putting robust planning, engagement and commercial foundations in place.

Michael Pemberton, Chief Executive of BEC, said:

“Pioneer Park is a nationally significant opportunity, and it’s encouraging to see the level of interest it generated during Nuclear Week. The conversations we’re having with industry show that West Cumbria is seen as a credible and attractive location for clean energy development.

“BEC is leading the selection of the organisation that will produce the Masterplan, ensuring we appoint a team with the right expertise to shape a deliverable, future-focused plan for the site. The selection process is now underway and will conclude in mid-February, marking another important milestone for the project.”

Showcasing Pioneer Park in Parliament was about demonstrating that West Cumbria is ready to lead, ready to partner, and ready to deliver. With growing industry interest, investment secured, and the Masterplanning process moving forward, Pioneer Park is taking confident steps towards becoming a major clean energy hub for the UK.

There’s a story I’ve heard many times from parents across West Cumbria, and I suspect many readers will recognise it.

It’s the story of a child who was struggling at school. Instructions felt overwhelming. Busy classrooms were exhausting. Slowly, quietly, that child began to believe that school simply wasn’t for them. Parents watched their confidence drain away and felt powerless to stop it. For any family, that experience is heartbreaking.

Then something changed. A teacher took the time to really understand that child. Instead of seeing a problem to be managed, they saw a bright, curious young person who needed to be taught differently. Tasks were broken down. Instructions were supported visually. Extra time was given to process. Expectations became clearer and more consistent.

Within a year, that child was thriving. For some, that meant discovering a love of reading. For others, making friends or feeling excited to go to school in the morning. Sometimes it was simply the confidence to take part in class. For parents, it meant the relief of finally feeling their child was understood.

This is what great teaching looks like, and I’ve met many teachers like this on visits to schools across West Cumbria.

But for too long, teacher training has been inconsistent. That hasn’t just let families down; it has frustrated teachers too. Many have told me they want to do the right thing, but haven’t always had the training or support to meet the full range of needs in today’s classrooms.

We’ve already started to address this for new teachers, with a stronger focus on adaptive teaching and supporting pupils with SEND. But that still leaves many experienced staff who trained under earlier systems and were left with a patchwork of support.

Nearly half of teachers say more training would help their confidence. Parents I’ve met through local SEND roundtables have echoed this repeatedly: the goodwill is there, but schools cannot be expected to solve these challenges alone.

That’s why a new £200 million investment in SEND training matters. It will give teachers and support staff across West Cumbria practical tools to support children with speech and language needs, visual impairments and other additional needs, from the early years through to college. Just as importantly, it will help schools build inclusive cultures where every child feels they belong.

This kind of teaching doesn’t just benefit children with additional needs. When teachers are confident in adapting their approach, everyone gains: the child who needs more time to process, the child ready to be stretched further, and all those in between. Inclusive classrooms work better for everyone.

No one pretends this fixes everything overnight. Families here have faced years of frustration, and rebuilding trust will take time. But confident, well-supported teachers are the foundation. When children feel safe and understood, everything else follows: attendance, wellbeing and achievement.

The government has today set out further action to improve the relationship of children and young people with mobile phones and social media, an issue that Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister has worked on since he was elected.

The government will bring forward a rapid three-month consultation on additional measures to keep children safe online. This will include consideration of options such as restricting access to social media for children under 16, raising the digital age of consent, and addressing features that can encourage excessive or compulsive use.

In a statement to Parliament announcing the plans, the Secretary of State for Technology, Liz Kendall, referenced the Safer Phones Bill put forward by Josh MacAlister last year before he was appointed as a Minister:

“Last year, the Government said in response to a Private Member’s Bill brought forward by my hon. Friend the Member for Whitehaven and Workington (Josh MacAlister) that there would have to be further action on these issues.

“Today I can tell the House that we will bring forward a swift three-month consultation on further measures to keep children safe online. That will include the option of banning social media for children under 16 and raising the digital age of consent, to stop companies using children’s data without their or their parents’ consent.

“We will consult parents, the organisations representing children and bereaved parents, technology companies and, crucially, children and young people themselves, because their views and voices must be heard… We will make sure that the consultation is evidence-led, with input from independent experts.”

Alongside the consultation, immediate steps will be taken in schools. Ofsted inspectors will check that mobile phone policies are in place and effectively enforced at every inspection, supported by clearer national guidance making it explicit that schools should be phone-free environments by default. Schools that need support will be able to draw on expertise from Attendance and Behaviour Hub schools already implementing these policies successfully.

Parents will also be supported with new, evidence-based guidance on screen time for children aged 5 to 16, complementing guidance for under-fives due later this year which was announced last week.

Josh MacAlister MP said:

“I’ve heard from hundreds of young people, parents, teachers and health professionals in Cumbria and across the country about the harms of unchecked social media use and screen time. Many feel that the pace of technology has been set without children’s wellbeing at its heart.

“From my Safer Phones Bill onwards, I’ve been clear that we need firm, practical rules that back parents and schools, not leave them to cope alone. The government’s proposals seek to address this, giving children and young people in Cumbria and across the country the freedom to learn, play and grow without constant digital pressure. Phones and social media should serve young people – not the other way around.

“I urge local young people, parents, educators and others to engage with the consultation and make sure your views are heard. I will be organising local opportunities to have your say – sign up to my e-mail list for details.”

The proposals build on the UK’s world-leading online safety framework and wider reforms to give every child the best possible start in life, including curriculum reform and stronger digital and media literacy skills. Evidence from around the world will be examined, with ministers learning directly from international approaches, including in Australia.

For Cumbria’s families, schools and communities, the message is clear: children’s wellbeing comes first, online as well as offline, and the next phase of reform will be shaped by those most affected.

Watch Josh’s video following the announcement