There is no greater responsibility for a Government than protecting the nation and its citizens from threats. We are living in an increasingly dangerous world in which those threats are rapidly growing and governments can be slow to respond and adapt.

This Labour Government recognised the emerging threats we face early on and took immediate action to start to prepare the country. At the Budget last year and at the Spending Review earlier this year the Government prioritised a massive boost in defence spending to turn around decline that has seen us left dangerously exposed to threats from Russia and others.

The commitment we made when making tough trade-offs to invest in defence was that communities up and down the country would feel the benefits through an industrial renaissance. We’re now delivering on that commitment. 

The submarine building programme we’re delivering is creating thousands of jobs in Barrow and in the supply chain. Hundreds of apprenticeships, graduate roles and skilled positions are being opened each year as the programme scales up. I’ve met several local apprentices working at the shipyard (and I’m doing what I can to fix the trains and buses to get them there and back!)

I want West Cumbria to benefit from this new defence industrial revolution with more jobs closer to home too. Last week saw the announcement of Cumbria as a shortlisted location for a new munitions factory – one of six the government wants to build to make sure we’ve got the resources we need to defend our country and our allies like Ukraine. I want these manufacturing jobs to come here and this announcement follows months of work behind the scenes – I’ve met with the Defence Secretary, with senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, and with defence contractors, to bang the drum for potential sites in West Cumbria. 

There is a lot more work to do and Cumberland Council are working to create  an attractive offer around local sites to bring those jobs here. I’ll keep championing our community locally and nationally so that we can benefit from this investment.

This opportunity ties in perfectly with my Industrial Plan for West Cumbria and what we’re trying to deliver at Pioneer Park, at the Port of Workington, and with a new clean jet fuel facility: to bring new industries and jobs here and diversify our economy to make it stronger for the future and give local people access to a wider range of opportunities. West Cumbria deserves nothing less.

We must also remember those who’ve sacrificed their lives for our country in conflict and I’m calling for evidence on local war memorials which need maintenance and repair so we can take advantage of some new government funding announced for this purpose. Contact me at joshmacalister.uk/contact with local sites which need renewal.

Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister, has welcomed the Labour Government’s freeze on rail fares – the first in 30 years.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the freeze ahead of the Budget this week, promising to put money back in the pockets of commuters after decades of spiralling fares.

For example, a typical commuter travelling to work using a season ticket will save:

• £140 per year, travelling from Whitehaven to Barrow

• £110 per year, travelling from Workington to Carlisle

Josh said:

“This historic freeze will give much-needed breathing space for families across West Cumbria. Labour understands the cost pressures working people face. And we also understand that the economy only works when it works for everyone – including making sure it’s affordable for people to travel to work and get where they need to.

“Of course, that also relies on the railway functioning properly and that is what we are currently lacking in West Cumbria. I met again recently with the Rail Minister to press the case for a major upgrade of the line and to get the Bransty tunnel reopened as quickly as possible. I will continue to make the case at every opportunity and at every level until the Cumbrian Coast Line is running as it should be.”

Flimby is set to see major improvements after Josh MacAlister MP and Cllr Bill Pegram secured £50,000 from Cumberland Council to upgrade the village play park next year – a first step in a decade-long programme of investment for the community.

The funding follows determined campaigning by local young people Kaelan and Ethan, who gathered more than 500 signatures on a petition calling for improvements to the play park. Their efforts were praised during a well-attended community meeting hosted by Josh in Flimby, where residents discussed their priorities for the £20 million Pride in Place programme. Secured by Josh and Markus Campbell-Savours MP, this is a ten year investment pot which will support Flimby, the Ewanrigg and Ellenborough neighbourhoods of Maryport, and Broughton Moor. 

Residents put forward a wide range of ideas, including:

• Improving accessibility at Flimby train station

• Upgrading local footpaths and bridleways

• Investment in the church and improvements to the churchyard

• Funding to support the carnival and other community events

• Better facilities and activities for young people

• All-weather sports facilities

• Further investment in a larger, improved play park

Josh emphasised that although Markus Campbell-Savours MP will be the lead MP for the programme in this area, he will work closely with him and with Cumberland Council to ensure Flimby gets its fair share of the £20 million.

A neighbourhood board will soon be established to develop a delivery plan for how the funding will be spent, and Josh is encouraging community leaders from Flimby to come forward to help shape the village’s future.

Speaking after the meeting, Josh said:

“Securing £50,000 for the play park is just the start. Kaelan and Ethan have shown what brilliant things young people can achieve when they put their minds to it, and their petition helped make the case for investment loud and clear.

“With £20 million coming into the area over the next decade, we now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make Flimby an even better place to live. I’m committed to working with Markus Campbell-Savours MP, Cumberland Council and local residents to make sure Flimby gets its fair share and that the community leads the way in deciding how this money is spent.”

Residents can continue to share their priorities through Josh’s Pride in Flimby survey at joshmacalister.uk/flimby.

Josh MacAlister MP has welcomed the Government’s announcement of an additional £2 million to protect and maintain war memorials across the country – and is calling on local residents to report any memorials in West Cumbria that may be in need of repair.

War memorials are an essential part of our local and national history. They stand as lasting tributes to the courage and sacrifice of servicemen and women in conflicts past and present, and as places where communities gather to remember.

Across the United Kingdom, there are more than 100,000 war memorials, with many requiring urgent maintenance due to weathering, neglect and, in some cases, vandalism.

The newly announced funding builds on the long-standing efforts of local volunteers, veterans’ organisations, and heritage groups who work tirelessly to preserve these important sites.

Josh MacAlister MP said:

“Our war memorials are sacred places in our communities – places where we come together to reflect, to remember, and to say thank you.

“This new funding is a welcome step, but to make sure our local memorials receive the support they need, I want to hear from residents.

“If you know of a war memorial in our area that is damaged, weathered, or in need of repair, please get in touch with my office.

“We are proud of our heritage and our Armed Forces community, and we will keep working to ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten.”

Local residents can report war memorials in need of repair by contacting Josh MacAlister MP’s office at: joshmacalister.uk/contact or by calling 01946 458023 with all of the details.

When I was elected last year, I made clear that my top priority was to help unlock the Moorside site for new nuclear. For too long, West Cumbria has lived with the disappointment of false starts on new nuclear. The collapse of the NuGen project under the Tories in 2018 left a plan-shaped hole in our economy – one that has never been filled. 

But over the past year, through a huge collective effort, we have begun to turn that around. What felt stalled for years is now gathering pace, grounded in hard work, partnership and realism about what it will take to deliver new nuclear and new industry here.

The latest example of that progress came last week, when the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority confirmed £1 million for our local development company – BEC – to prepare a full masterplan for Pioneer Park. This is the most significant step forward on the site in years, and it marks the shift from exploring possibilities to setting out a credible, detailed route to delivery.

Since last September, I’ve chaired the Cumberland Nuclear Futures Board, bringing together the NDA, Cumberland Council, Sellafield Ltd., BEC, ministers and business and union leaders. The Board has helped create the kind of partnership our area has long needed: local and national institutions working side by side, with shared purpose and a shared understanding of the scale of the opportunity.

That opportunity has become clearer through conversations with more than thirty developers, nuclear vendors and technology companies since Pioneer Park was announced earlier this year. Their message back to us has been consistent: Pioneer Park is a serious site with serious potential – if we can get the land arrangements right, move quickly, and provide certainty about power off-take and planning.

Alongside new nuclear, we are seeing equally strong interest in the idea of a nuclear-powered AI Growth Zone. West Cumbria is uniquely placed to lead in the development of high-performance data centres and advanced robotics, drawing on our nuclear skills and our emerging AI and embodied-intelligence capability. This could bring new opportunities for young people, help diversify our economy, and support the long-term mission at Sellafield.

None of this is simple. But the story of the past year is that the blockers which once looked immovable are beginning to shift. Land transfer is now being worked through. The developer selection process is being shaped. Work is underway on early survey options. And now, with this week’s funding announcement, the masterplan that will guide all of this can finally begin.

There is still a long way to go, but the direction of travel is the right one. Step by step, we are clearing the way for new nuclear at Pioneer Park – and building the foundations for a brighter and more prosperous future for West Cumbria.

Construction of a new youth and community centre in Seascale is under way – marking a significant milestone for a local charity.

The Shackles Off Youth and Community Project is delighted to have been awarded over half a million pounds from Nuclear Wastes Services’ Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) programme, through Mid Copeland Community Partnership. 

A further £150,000 funding was awarded from Copeland Community Fund, which is administered by Cumberland Council and funded through the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority for hosting the Low Level Waste Repository.

The new centre will continue to offer the charity’s wide range of activities including youth clubs, fun activities, one to one support, informal education, over 50s groups and social action – as well as broaden its opportunities. It will also provide a base for the Seascale & District Royal British Legion and other local groups.

Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister, Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) and members of the Community Partnership were invited along to the site to see the work in progress.

Mandy Taylor, executive officer of Shackles Off, which involves over 350 children and young people, said: “We’re absolutely over the moon that we have received this funding to make our dream a reality and delighted that work is now well under way and we can see fantastic progress being made.

“This new centre means so much for the young people, our staff, volunteers and other local groups who will have a permanent base in the community and one that meets all our needs. We’re very grateful for this funding as we couldn’t have achieved this on our own.” 

Demolition work has taken place and building work has started for the eco-friendly project, which will include a community room, youth space, kitchen and storage. It is hoped the centre, near the Windscale Club, will be finished and ready for use around summer next year.

Shackles Off – which started in 2008 by a small group of volunteers – is proud to have recently won ‘Best Youth Project’ in Cumbria Community Foundation’s Better Tomorrows Awards. It now employs several staff, including operations manager Joanne Pears and many volunteers. 

Mandy explained that not-for-profit organisation SASRA, which provides recreation and sporting activities in the area, has been instrumental in making this project happen.

She said: “SASRA has provided the land which the new facility is being built on and also practical support with two of its directors sitting on the project team, inputting their valuable experience. We would also like to thank retired Sellafield worker Steve Hall who has co-ordinated the project and put hundreds of voluntary hours in, ensuring everything runs smoothly.”

MP Josh MacAlister said: “I’m delighted to see work well under way on this fantastic new youth and community centre for Seascale. Shackles Off has been a cornerstone of local life for years, giving young people opportunities to learn, grow and give back to their community. 

“This new building will help secure that legacy for the future – providing a space where people of all ages can come together, build connections and support one another. It’s great to see local organisations, funders and volunteers working in partnership to make it happen.”

Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership has worked with Shackles Off on a number of projects including GDF information sessions where young people presented their views; work to develop a community vision and writing for the newsletter. The funding was awarded through the GDF programme’s Community Investment Funding.

Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, secured commitments from Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy during a meeting in Westminster this week to drive forward progress on key local projects.

At the meeting, Josh led discussions on the urgent repair of the Bransty rail tunnel, the long-term solution to the orange water flowing into Whitehaven Harbour, and the much-needed upgrade of the Cumbrian Coast Line.

The Rail Minister agreed that repairs to Bransty Tunnel must go ahead and confirmed that the necessary funding will be found, following Josh’s ongoing campaign on the issue.

Josh also secured the Minister’s support to bring together departments across government to discuss funding for the plan to divert the orange water in Whitehaven Harbour out to sea. A meeting with relevant ministers and agencies will take place before the end of the year.

On the future of the Cumbrian Coast Line, the Minister reaffirmed his commitment to work with Josh and Cumbria’s MPs and local authorities to develop a long-term upgrade plan, beginning with replacing the Victorian-era signalling system. This follows months of cross-party work led by Josh with Cumbria’s political and business leaders, who continue to support improvements to the line as a shared regional priority.

Cumberland Council is convening a workshop this month with officials from across government to develop options. A further cross-government meeting will be arranged in January, involving transport, energy and defence ministers alongside Cumbria’s political leaders, to agree next steps.

Josh MacAlister MP said:

“I’m pleased to have secured clear commitments from the Rail Minister on all three of these vital issues. West Cumbria deserves modern, reliable infrastructure and a long-term solution for Whitehaven Harbour.

“I will keep driving this work forward. Progress is happening because of strong cross-party support across Cumbria to upgrade our railway and improve the resilience of the Cumbrian Coast Line.”

The next phase of West Cumbria’s clean energy and technology future has taken a major step forward today, as the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) confirmed £1 million funding for a masterplan for Pioneer Park – the site on land at Moorside adjacent to Sellafield earmarked for new nuclear development and AI-led growth.

The funding will enable local development company BEC to produce a detailed masterplan for the Pioneer Park site, setting out how Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and AI and data centre infrastructure could come together to drive long-term regeneration and jobs.

This announcement follows months of co-ordinated work through the Cumberland Nuclear Futures Board, chaired by Josh MacAlister MP, and involving the NDA, Cumberland Council, Sellafield Ltd., and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

The masterplan will form the foundation for planning, investment and infrastructure decisions through 2026 – moving the project from concept to delivery.

Whitehaven & Workington MP Josh MacAlister said:

“This is a significant milestone in the plan to bring new nuclear to West Cumbria. The masterplan will give us a clear route to deliver clean energy, new technology and long-term jobs for our community.

“West Cumbria led the world in nuclear innovation once before – and with this next step, we’re getting closer to doing it again.”

Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, said:

“Pioneer Park has the potential to be a flagship project for Britain’s clean energy future.

“This funding is a key step in turning ambition into action – helping local and national partners work together to produce clean energy, deliver new industries, and new opportunities for West Cumbria.”

Michael Pemberton, Chief Executive of BEC, said:

“We are delighted to be leading the Pioneer Park development on behalf of the NDA, Council and MP. The funding being provided by the NDA for the Masterplan will allow us to make early tangible progress.

“The Pioneer Park nuclear development coupled with AI and technology led growth will ultimately be transformational for West Cumbria and will be key to the diversification of our economy, providing a wide range of jobs in our community for many decades to come. BEC will be working tirelessly to make this a reality.”

David Peattie, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, said:

“The NDA is proud to support this next stage of work at Pioneer Park.

“The project builds on West Cumbria’s unrivalled nuclear expertise while looking firmly to the future – creating opportunities for new technologies, skills and investment that will benefit the local community for generations.”

The Pioneer Park masterplan will build on the findings of the Market Engagement process, which showed strong industry interest in the site as a location for Small Modular Reactors, AI and data centres, and other advanced technology developments. It will also align with Cumberland’s proposal for Pioneer Park to become the UK’s first Nuclear-Powered AI Growth Zone.

This month is National Care Leavers Month – a time to celebrate the strength and potential of young people who have grown up in care, and to shine a light on the work still to be done to support them. The theme this year, “Rising as Me”, feels especially fitting. It speaks of transformation, of finding your place in the world, and of the importance of being recognised for who you are – not just where you’ve come from.

In my recent speech in Parliament, I described the disadvantage faced by care-experienced people as one of the greatest social-justice challenges of our time. Too many young people leaving care step out into adulthood without the safety net that most of us take for granted. I have met young people here in West Cumbria who have shown immense courage – navigating housing, education and work, often without family to fall back on. Their resilience is inspiring, but our system should not depend on resilience alone.

That’s why this government has been taking practical steps to make life fairer for care leavers. We’ve scrapped outdated housing rules that made it harder for care leavers to get a secure home, and we’ve extended corporate-parenting responsibilities across public bodies, so that the NHS for example, must play their part in supporting care-experienced people. We’ve also removed the cruel requirement for some care leavers to declare themselves “intentionally homeless” before getting help – because no young person should be put through that. And for those who want to study, we’ve increased financial support so that higher education can be a genuine option, not an impossible dream.

But change can’t come only from Westminster. It must be felt in places like West Cumbria – in our schools, colleges, housing associations, and workplaces. I’m working closely with local partners to make sure national policies translate into real improvements here. I want every care-experienced young person in this community to have a strong foundation: a home they can rely on, a trusted adult in their corner, and a fair chance to build the future they choose.

We are also confronting deeper injustices. I have commissioned work to understand the unacceptably high number of early deaths among care-experienced adults, and we are investing in recruiting and retaining more foster carers and supported-lodgings hosts, because stable, loving relationships matter more than anything else.

To every care-experienced young person in West Cumbria: I see you, and I believe in you. Your past does not define your future. You bring strength, creativity and courage to our communities – and my commitment, both as your MP and as Minister for Children & Families, is to keep breaking down barriers so you can rise as yourself, and thrive.

My letter for this week’s Whitehaven News and Times & Star

As we mark another Remembrance weekend, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone across West Cumbria who played a part in this year’s commemorations – from those who organised parades and services, to the volunteers, standard bearers, youth groups and musicians who make these moments of reflection possible.

In the weeks leading up to Remembrance Sunday, I was proud to join volunteers from Bransty Royal British Legion and Workington Royal British Legion for shifts selling poppies. It’s always humbling to see how generously local people continue to give and to share their own stories of service and remembrance. Thanks to all the RBL volunteers who took part.

Last year, I attended services in Whitehaven and Workington. This year, I joined members of Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team and the Fell & Rock Climbing Club for the annual Remembrance service on the summit of Great Gable – the country’s highest act of remembrance, held in memory of climbers who lost their lives in the First World War and subsequent conflicts. Standing nearly 3,000 feet above the valleys, it was a truly moving way to honour the sacrifice of all those who gave up their tomorrows for our today.

I would like to record my sincere thanks to Lady Anne Cunningham and Councillor Joe Ghayouba, who kindly laid Parliamentary wreaths on my behalf at the services in Workington and Whitehaven. I am grateful to them, and to everyone who took part in dozens of ceremonies across all our towns, villages and mountain tops.

Whether in a packed town square, a quiet churchyard, or on a windswept fell, West Cumbria came together this weekend to remember those who gave everything for our freedom. We will remember them.

Josh MacAlister

MP for Whitehaven & Workington