Blogs - Andy McDonald MP

The current situation in Afghanistan

In the wake of the collapse of the Afghan Government there has been much sombre reflection in Parliament and earlier by the Head of Armed Forces. I fully recognise Chief of Defence Staff Nick Carter’s “realpolitic” in talking of working with the Taliban to secure the best possible outcomes in…

Middlesbrough deserves full rail service to London

I know that a number of people have been quite rightly concerned about the disappointing proposed May 2022 rail timetable. There is a lot to be disappointed about as quite simply we are not getting the local, regional and national services we were promised. Just take the long requested and…

Covid rates in Middlesbrough and vaccination take-up

The sharp rise in the number of recorded rates of Covid in Middlesbrough is of course concerning. At the weekly Covid briefing this morning with public health and council officers we discussed the current situation and what is being done to try to reduce the virus rates. Fortunately, hospital admissions…

Middlesbrough sports club serves up an ace

Ormesby Table Tennis Club has a first class reputation not only nationally but also internationally. It was wonderful to visit the Club, which has more than 100 members, to see the Over 50s session in full swing – I even had a practice under the guidance of one of the…

Back at the Riverside – but disgraceful booing at the start of the match

I went along to the Riverside last night for the England v Austria game. It was so good to be going to a live match in person after such a long absence. I’ve so missed it! I know these friendly games don’t have the same significance as the tournament itself…

Supporting Middlesbrough businesses

Businesses have obviously been impacted by the pandemic and have had to look for financial help through grants, nationally and locally. Unfortunately, there have been a number of small businesses who have initially been refused grants due to uncertainty around eligibility for their type of business, causing financial hardship during…

International Workers’ Memorial Day

Today I attended the annual Workers’ Memorial Day event in Hartlepool to remember all those who have lost their lives while at work. Health and safety is a workers’ fundamental right but too often employees are still denied the most basic of health and safety protections. The trade union movement…

Reaction to the Budget

This year more than ever, families and businesses were looking for assurances, support and certainty from the Budget. The extension of the furlough scheme until the end of September is welcome news for people in Middlesbrough but this should have been confirmed before now to alleviate the uncertainty and fear…

Riverside Stadium to host mass vaccination centre

The news that the Riverside Stadium will be the venue for Middlesbrough’s mass vaccination centre is wonderful news. I have been calling for Middlesbrough to have such a facility in order for more people to be able to have access to a vaccine site locally. This will help support…

Middlesbrough Station on track for direct link to London

Middlesbrough Railway Station is at the heart of my constituency and a vital link to the rest of the country. Improving rail connectivity has been something I have campaigned for since being elected back in 2012 as I have long since been convinced of the huge economic benefits that will…

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