A NEW industrial plan for west Cumbria has been launched by a parliamentary candidate as part of his pitch to voters in the new Whitehaven and Workington seat.

Josh MacAlister, the parliamentary candidate for the Labour party who was selected following a controversial process earlier this year, has produced the five-point plan which he claims seeks to trigger a new 'industrial revolution' in the area.

The plan sets out five priorities for public and private investment which Mr MacAlister says will help west Cumbria to benefit from the energy transition and new technologies.

The plan includes investing in new nuclear for west Cumbria; doubling the size of the Port of Workington; bringing back steel-making to west Cumbria; backing innovative local businesses; and upgrading the Cumbria coastal railway line.

Plans for new nuclear, expanding the Port of Workington and bringing back steel could deliver £6.2billion in private investment, £200million public investment and create 1,000 'sustainable long-term jobs' in west Cumbria, he said.

The plans do not deviate entirely from the promises made by the current Conservative government, which has also committed to new nuclear and upgrading the railway line.

Nuclear Minister Andrew Bowie MP confirmed in September that the government and Great British Nuclear (GBN) are considering what he describes as 'incredibly attractive sites' in Cumbria, hinting at an announcement on new SMR technologies (which many have lobbied to be located on the Moorside site near Sellafield) very soon.

But the launch of the plan comes following media reports that Teesside is set to get small modular reactors (SMRs) and concerns among Labour over what they see as delays to the initiation of the proposed development at Moorside.

In a recent interview with the Whitehaven News, Labour leader Keir Starmer committed to removing barriers to new development and said he 'very strongly' supported new nuclear in west Cumbria.

Launching the industrial plan, Mr MacAlister said: “Our ports and docks were the engine room of the industrial revolution. We were home to the world’s first civil nuclear power station.

“The news that Teesside will get the first new SMRs and not west Cumbria shows the consequences of not having a plan - and a government that lacks ambition to grow industry in our area.

“We need a plan that will help us to regain control of our future. A plan for long-term jobs that families can count on. A realistic, bold, ambitious and focused plan that empowers the enterprise of local leaders. This is that plan."

Dianne Richardson, chief executive of British Energy Coast Business Cluster, said: “It is important that local politicians engage with business, and we’ve welcomed the opportunity for our members to contribute to these plans.

“This industrial plan includes important proposals that would bring investment into west Cumbria and protect and create local jobs and we hope to see these policies delivered.”

Paul Foster, chair at Community Nuclear Power Company, said progress at Teesside was not an issue for Cumbrian nuclear developments and said: “Solway remains a priority for us and one to which we will return once GBN’s consultation process is concluded, and a path forward becomes clear.

"Each of our projects is independent, and progressing elsewhere is no barrier to progress at Moorside.”