What are Teesside politicians' responses to the King's Speech?
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East MP Andy McDonald has reacted to the announcements made in Parliament
Last updated 17th Jul 2024
Teesside MP Andy McDonald has welcomed two of the policies announced in today’s King’s Speech as the "fruition" of his hard work in recent years.
Middlesbrough & Thornaby East MP Andy McDonald produced the party’s GB Rail White Paper for an integrated railway in public ownership while Shadow Transport Secretary under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn and settled the programme for a New Deal for Working People in Labour's Green Paper to improve workers’ rights while Shadow Minister for Employment Rights and Protections under Sir Keir Starmer.
In the first State Opening of Parliament under this new Labour Government, The King’s Speech today unveiled over 35 bills and draft bills which will support delivery of the mission to rebuild Britain.
Among them was the new Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill, Railways Bill, and the Better Buses Bill.
The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill will amend existing railways legislation so that appointing a public-sector operator is the default position, bringing franchises into the public sector as they expire, saving the taxpayer millions of pounds. The Better Buses Bill will allow every community to take back control of their buses and support public ownership, safeguarding local networks.
Meanwhile, the Employment Rights Bill will enact Labour’s New Deal for Working People will by banning exploitative zero-hour contracts, ending the scourge of ‘Fire and Rehire’ and starting what I hope will be just the first of many Fair Pay Agreements in the adult social care sector. It will also update trade union legislation so it is fit for a modern economy, removing unnecessary restrictions on trade union activity – including the previous Government’s approach to minimum service levels
Mr McDonald said: “I worked with stakeholders in the rail industry for over four years to deliver proposals for an integrated railway in public ownership and then to start a programme that would advance the cause of improved rights and protections for workers.
"The Bills announced today will make a real improvement to people's lives in Middlesbrough & Thornaby East.
“With excellent Ministers like Louise Haigh at Transport and Justin Madders in Employment Rights, I have every confidence that the new Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill, Railways Bill, and the Better Buses Bill - as well as the Employment Rights Bill - with Angela Rayner doing such a brilliant job - in today's King's Speech bring those ambitions to fruition.”
Meanwhile, Cleveland PCC Matt Storey has welcomed measures announced by King Charles III in his speech to Parliament.
A number of crime and community safety policies were among the 35 bills and other measures announced as part of the new Government’s agenda.
The PCC says many of the measures announced mirrored those in the his draft Police and Crime Plan.
Cleveland PCC Matt said: “The King’s Speech is an exciting agenda putting community policing at the heart of the Home Secretary’s plans to make our communities safer - something which I am passionate about.
“I look forward to seeing how that will be delivered and what the promise of 13,000 more police officers means for our area.
“Tackling violence against women and girls is at the top of my agenda. That commitment along with tackling ASB and off road bikes are key elements in my draft Police and Crime Plan. I am pleased that the Government’s agenda marries up with my own.
“I look forward to working with the Home Office and The Ministry of Justice over the next four years to lobby for Cleveland.
“I want to make sure our voice is heard at central government level and we make the most of the opportunities, which the King’s Speech presents for us.”
Consultation on Cleveland’s draft Police and Crime Plan started this week. It contains the following six priorities:
• Delivering visible and effective policing
• Reducing crime, antisocial behaviour and harm
• Improving safety for women and girls
• Building trust and confidence in policing and the justice system
• Ensuring the right support for victims and vulnerable people
• Tackling offending and re-offending