Andy McDonald MP
andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social
Andy McDonald MP
@andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social
It's not for the unelected House to frustrate the will of the people, and that's exactly what they're doing.

Labour made this promise to the people when they sought election, so we should be abiding by it.

I spoke to @lbc.co.uk about the Employment Rights Bill 👇
November 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Ending the Conservative two child limit will lift thousands of children in Middlesbrough & Thornaby East and across the Tees Valley out of hardship.

I welcome it as the most immediate and cost-effective step to cut child poverty.

#Budget2025
November 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Day one rights were promised. Labour must deliver them.

If this concession becomes a precedent, business lobby groups will not stop there.

My article for @labourlist.bsky.social 👇

labourlist.org/2025/11/day-...
November 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM
We can all read the manifesto ourselves and, and it says that we'll deliver day one rights and that includes unfair dismissal.

We're no longer doing it, so we're doing something completely inconsistent what was in the manifesto.

Speaking to Jane Hill News on BBC Radio 4.
November 28, 2025 at 7:30 AM
We went into the election with that manifesto promise to bring about day one rights, including the right not to be unfairly dismissed.

The whole principle of day one rights was the major pillar of the New Deal for Working People.

I spoke to Jane Hill on The World Tonight.
November 28, 2025 at 6:45 AM
When Keir Starmer asked me to work with our Trades Unions to develop a programme for the biggest uplift in workers’ rights and protections in a generation, I did exactly as I was asked and we produced the New Deal for Working People.

1/11
November 27, 2025 at 6:41 PM
The big news for me was the abolition of the two child cap.

I've been campaigning for that ever since - and before - the election.

That's gone. That's great.

#Budget2025
November 27, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Ending the Conservative two-child limit will lift thousands of children in Middlesbrough & Thornaby East and across the Tees Valley out of hardship, and I welcome it as the most immediate, cost-effective step to cut child poverty.
November 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I've said the test of the Budget is whether it lifts real spending power.

Parliament's hard-working security guards want their pay up and conditions improved.

I supported them and their union PCS in their demand this morning.
November 26, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Families struggling to afford their bills are having to cut back on use of energy.

I support National Energy Action's #FuelPovertyAwarenessDay.
November 26, 2025 at 11:03 AM
The test of the Budget is whether it lifts real spending power and improves living standards for people on low- and middle-incomes.

They want their pay and incomes up, everyday fares and bills down, and public services improved through just and fair taxation.

#Budget2025
November 26, 2025 at 8:25 AM
The system is failing spinal cord injury patients – we need a national strategy now.

I set out the call made by Spinal Cord Injury APPG with @spinalinjuries.bsky.social in our recent report 👇

www.politics.co.uk/mp-comment/2...
Andy McDonald MP: ‘The system is failing spinal cord injury patients – we need a national strategy now’ - Politics.co.uk
The UK has a proud legacy in spinal cord injury (SCI) care. It was here, at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, that professor Sir Ludwig Guttmann pioneered a model of rehabilitation that placed the patient at...
www.politics.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 10:10 AM
The Tories always said they were bound by an ever escalating fixed formula of price rises.

Labour has binned the formula - making rail travel a bit more affordable.

These are the measures that make a difference.
November 23, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Professor @premnsikka.bsky.social sets out some of the options to bring about a better and fairer system of taxation in @left-foot-forward.bsky.social 👇

leftfootforward.org/2025/11/this...
This is how Rachel Reeves could deliver a progressive budget
The chancellor has an opportunity to boost the public purpose and deliver redistribution
leftfootforward.org
November 22, 2025 at 11:15 AM
I share @alfdubs.bsky.social concerns.

The government's asylum proposals won't stop those legitimately seeking asylum taking dangerous journeys to the UK.

But they do risk creating new hostility and tension in our communities.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
'UK shouldn't pilot cruelty - my fears over asylum shake-up'
Labour peer Lord Alf Dubs, who fled Nazis as child as part of the Kindertransport, writes for The Mirror on the government's proposed shake-up of the asylum system
www.mirror.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Our Labour Govt will be opening 2,000 new free breakfast clubs in 2026.

This initiative will benefit half a million children and their families next year.
November 20, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The Spinal Cord Injury all-party group of MPs recently published a report on the need for a national strategy for spinal cord injury.

I was delighted to deliver that report and a petition of support to Downing St with @spinalinjuries.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Sight loss affects almost 3,000 people in Middlesbrough & Thornaby East.

I met with @rnib.bsky.social to discuss the postcode lottery of vision rehabilitation services and what action government should take to improve them.
November 18, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The government is proposing new powers to impose conditions that could limit the right to protest.

I raised this with the Home Office Minister after my recent motion and written questions.

I don't believe these powers are necessary or right.
November 18, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Less than a week ago, the PM warned about rising racist and divisive rhetoric.

Yet the government’s focus on asylum and immigration — while urgent issues like child poverty need their focus — risks fuelling that very division.

My comment on today's briefing👇
November 17, 2025 at 5:35 PM
I wrote about the first anniversary of The Junction Multibank for North East Bylines.

"One day hopefully food banks and multibanks will be consigned to history, but in the meantime there is a great deal of work to do."
First anniversary of The Junction Multibank
Marking the first anniversary of The Junction Multibank in my Middlesbrough & Thornaby East constituency
northeastbylines.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Today I visited Famous Food Stores on Gresham Road in Middlesbrough with Cleveland PCC Matt Storey as part of Respect for Shopworkers Week and in support of the @usdawunion.bsky.social campaign Freedom from Fear.

We had a good discussion about the issues and what is being done to help.
November 14, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Teesside University was awarded University of the Year last night,

Millions of pounds have been invested, a gold standard award for teaching excellence, and it always appears at the top of list for student experience.

This is a remarkable achievement and so well-deserved.
November 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Absolutely delighted @teessideuni.bsky.social has been awarded University of the Year in @timeshighered.bsky.social awards.

Massive congratulations to the entire team under the inspirational leadership of Paul Croney.

So well deserved!

#THEAwards

www.timeshighereducation.com/news/times-h...
Times Higher Education Awards 2025: winners announced
Teesside University and Steve Smith win top prizes as ‘Oscars of higher education’ is held in Scotland for first time
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Anti-Muslim hate in the UK has reached record levels in recent months - we all have a duty to call out racism.

For Islamophobia Awareness Month, I met with @amnestyuk.bsky.social and @srtrcengland.bsky.social alongside @afzalkhanmcr.bsky.social to discuss how we challenge it.

#EndIslamophobia
November 13, 2025 at 11:41 AM