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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 1d

Additional funding for homelessness and rough sleeping this winter is vital.

This government is taking action to address this crisis. There is much to do and this is a welcome start.

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 2d

I am concerned by proposals to extend police powers over the 'cumulative impact' of protests.

We’ve had multiple anti-protest laws in recent years, eroding rights under the guise of public order.

That right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy we must defend.

Screengrab of Andy McDonald letter to the Home Secretary expressing concern at proposals to restrict rights to protest.

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 2d

Ceasefire deal a major breakthrough, but war not over yet

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Ceasefire deal a major breakthrough, but war not over yet

The agreement of the first-phase of the peace plan for Gaza, announced by US President Donald Trump, is a big moment.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 2d

I welcome the relief expressed across Palestine and Israel this morning that a ceasefire appears possible.

An end to bombing must become a permanent ceasefire and a flood of aid.

For any deal to last, it must recognise Palestinian sovereignty over Gaza and the West Bank.

Image from BBC website story 'Ceasefire deal a major breakthrough, but war not over yet'

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 3d

I very much welcome the clarity of the Justice Secretary.

The employment tribunal process is already challenging without heaping extra cost on claimants.

www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...

David Lammy rules out charging workers for employment tribunal claims

Justice secretary says right to challenge unfair work behaviour is core to Labour work plan after union backlash

www.theguardian.com

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 3d

"Arbitrarily determining what size the civil service should be in five years’ time based entirely on circumstances 15 years ago is not the sign of a serious government in waiting"

- @pcsunion.bsky.social @prospectunion.bsky.social @fdaunion.bsky.social 👇

www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...

‘Cheap’: Unions slam Tories’ latest pledge to slash civil service headcount

Conservative Party brings back failed Boris Johnson-era policy to cut civil service headcount to 2016 levels

www.civilserviceworld.com

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 3d

You have heard it from @kemibadenochmp.bsky.social at #CPC25.

If elected, Conservatives will:

✅ attack your employment rights
✅ cut public sector jobs
✅ cut social security

The Conservatives: a threat to your living standards.

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 4d

It's essential we implement the New Deal for Working People to deal with insecure and fragile work.

Part of that is making sure we have single status in employment.

So let's get behind the New Deal for Working People and get it implemented in full.

Me for @labourunionsuk.bsky.social 👇

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 4d

After the welfare bill, the Timms Review on the PIP process must be genuinely co-produced.

It's outcomes must reflect the needs of those it is meant to support.

And it is vital that parliament has a debate and vote on its findings.

Me in @bigissue.com 👇

www.bigissue.com/news/social-...

Labour faces another mass rebellion over reforms to universal credit

Welfare secretary Pat McFadden plans further reforms to the benefits system, expected to include abolishing the work capability assessment.

www.bigissue.com

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 9d

200 years after Britain led with the first trains our railways now lag behind modern networks across Europe.

GB Rail, Northern Powerhouse Rail, and a national electrification programme can be the blueprint for a modern, publicly owned railway.

Britain needs to lead in rail again - starting again from the North East

Two hundred years after Britain led the world with the first coal-powered trains - starting from Shildon and Darlington to Stockton.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 9d

Revealed: thousands of rogue bosses have failed to pay tribunal awards

Directors and owners of companies should be made directly liable for non-payment of employment tribunal awards.

Read this investigation by @tbij.bsky.social 👇

www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2025...

Thousands of rogue bosses get away with not paying tribunal awards

The government scheme ‘enforcing’ money owed to workers has been unsuccessful in a staggering three-quarters of cases

www.thebureauinvestigates.com

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 9d

You can have all the rights and protections you like. If you can’t enforce them, it’s redundant.

Directors and owners of companies should be made directly liable for non-payment of employment tribunal awards.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

'I won £65,000 at an employment tribunal – but I haven't seen a penny'

A BBC investigation reveals thousands of workers are still missing out on tribunal payouts.

www.bbc.com

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 10d

The Tories employment tribunal fees were a disaster for access to justice and for rights at work.

This Labour government cannot undermine its own employment rights commitments by introducing them.

Just rule it out now.

www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...

Labour considering charging workers for employment tribunal claims, sources say

Exclusive: Reintroducing tribunal fees would be ‘a gift for bad bosses’, says TUC chief Paul Nowak

www.theguardian.com

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 10d

To be at the ground breaking event and see the progress being made at the Outwood Riverside School is absolutely fantastic.

This is going to be a terrific development for the children, for the families, for this community. It's going to transform the area - it's a great day.

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 10d

Changes to living standards must be tangible, and they must be urgent.

People want change they can feel — in wages, homes, services and communities.

My thought's for conference week on what Labour needs to do now 👇

morningstaronline.co.uk/article/ther...

There’s still time to become a transformative government

LABOUR is in trouble. Barely over a year into government, our polling has slumped to around 20 per cent. Reform UK regularly leads, eating into Conservative votes while Labour supporters drift to the ...

morningstaronline.co.uk

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 11d

It was a pleasure to be invited onto the latest episode of the TUSU Official Vodcast to discuss all manner of topics. Watch here 👇

www.youtube.com/watch?v=y90S...

Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 12d

If we can tackle the big issues, like delivering decent public services and affordable state-built and owned housing by making the richest pay a fair amount of tax, Labour can win back the trust and support of the electorate.

Me in @mstaronline.bsky.social 👇

morningstaronline.co.uk/article/ther...

There’s still time to become a transformative government

LABOUR is in trouble. Barely over a year into government, our polling has slumped to around 20 per cent. Reform UK regularly leads, eating into Conservative votes while Labour supporters drift to the ...

morningstaronline.co.uk

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Reposted by Andy McDonald MP

LabourList @labourlist.bsky.social · 13d

Labour delegates could debate motions calling for a wealth tax, an end to the two-child benefit cap and a reversal of Tory austerity at party conference

labourlist.org/2025/09/labo...

Labour Party conference: Motions proposed on wealth tax, ending gambling ads and scrapping benefit cap – LabourList

Labour delegates could debate motions calling for a wealth tax, a crackdown on gambling advertising, an end to the two-child benefit cap and a reversal…

labourlist.org

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 13d

Welcome to see Labour members proposing discussions on a wealth tax, an end to the two-child benefit cap, and a reversal of Tory austerity at conference.

Delegates should make sure they're on the agenda this week.

labourlist.org/2025/09/labo...

Labour Party conference: Motions proposed on wealth tax, ending gambling ads and scrapping benefit cap - LabourList

Labour delegates could debate motions calling for a wealth tax, a crackdown on gambling advertising, an end to the two-child benefit cap and a reversal of Tory austerity at party conference.

labourlist.org

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 14d

Ending the fall in incomes - especially for hard-hit low-income families - must be Labour's urgent priority.

Two child limit. A social security minimum floor. Support with bills.

Every announcement should be about lifting living standards.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

Poorer families will find it ‘near impossible’ to afford food and bills, report warns

The findings will pile further pressure on the chancellor to scrap the two-child benefit cap long blamed for keeping children in poverty

www.independent.co.uk

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 15d

Today marks the start of Middlesbrough Art Week and I've been lucky enough to have a sneak preview of some of the amazing exhibitions now on display in our town.

To see all of what's on and to find out more about this brilliant annual event check out middlesbroughartweek.com

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 15d

Today I dropped into MIMA to listen to a fantastic soundscape created by pupils from Beverley School and Priory Woods.
The schools team up with Musinc and Tees Valley Music Education Hub to form the Middlesbrough Open Orchestra. It was a real joy.

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 15d

The £20m announcement for Thorntree is exactly the sort of thing a bold Labour government needs to focus on.

It’s imperative that we get every last ounce of value out of these monies to transform lives of people in our communities.

See more at 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Image shows Andy McDonald MP speaking in the House of Commons overlaid with text saying '£20million secured for Thorntree' in reference to the Pride in Place local funding awards.

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 16d

Farage offers absolutely nothing about how to transform our economy for the benefit of the working class, but just scapegoats immigrants.

His comments are a direct lift from the Trump song book.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

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Andy McDonald MP @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social · 16d

It’s essential that government presses ahead with Northern Powerhouse Rail with all speed.

My comment on delays to NPR reported by BBC 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Text on graphic reads:
It’s essential that government presses ahead with Northern Powerhouse Rail with all speed.

Unless we get the blood flowing through the congested arteries from Liverpool through Manchester to Leeds and York and onwards to the North East and Humberside, then the entire North of England will not be able to flex its full economic muscle.

If we are to achieve the desired economic growth, then we must build the essential capacity needed to deliver faster and more reliable connectivity between all of our northern conurbations.

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