Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 10th April 2026
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- 8 min read
This Week the Government Announced...
Conflict in Iran
This week, the Prime Minister travelled to the Middle East to meet leaders in the region to discuss the two-week ceasefire. The Government is committed to securing a lasting agreement and building on the UK’s efforts in recent weeks to achieve the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
During the visit the Prime Minister also met with brave service personnel who’ve racked up more than 1,600 flying hours defending British interests and those of our allies.
Read more here: Prime Minister travels to Middle East to meet allies and support ceasefire: 8 April 2026 - GOV.UK
Student loans interest capped at 6%
This week, the Government announced Student loan interests for Plan 2 and 3 would be capped at 6% from September 2026.
The cap provides certainty at a time when many young people are already navigating high living costs, from rent and energy bills to everyday essentials. Without intervention, temporary spikes in inflation can significantly increase the long-term cost of student debt, particularly for middle earners who repay over a longer period.
By limiting interest rates, the government is reducing the risk of debts escalating unpredictably and helping graduates better plan for their financial future whether that’s saving for a home, starting a family, or building a career.
3,000 new neighbourhood police officers in post
3,000 new neighbourhood police officers come into post this week, two months ahead of the Government's schedule.
Figures released on Tuesday show that 3,123 additional neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs have been hired or redeployed since April last year and are now focused on fighting local crimes in communities.
Last year the government pledged to have 3,000 additional neighbourhood policing personnel by the end of March 2026, meeting the target in January.
The increase in neighbourhood officers is already delivering results. The Home Office’s Winter of Action scheme across December and January saw almost 18,000 arrests across more than 600 towns and cities as police presence and patrols were ramped up.
Read more here: Surge in neighbourhood police in communities fighting crime - GOV.UK
In Birmingham, thanks to my successful campaign working with Al Carns MP for Selly Oak, we have secured neighbourhood police officers for every ward in the city.
Knife Crime Plan
This week, Policing Minister Sarah Jones launched her Knife Crime Plan, outlining the steps the Government is taking to tackle knife crime across the UK. These measures support the target of halving knife crime within a decade.
The plan includes increased police patrols and the installation of new CCTV cameras to improve security on the streets. It also sets out plans to provide mentoring and chaperoning in schools in areas most affected by knife crime.
In addition, the Minister has committed over £34 million to continue the fight against knife crime linked to county lines.
Read more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protecting-lives-building-hope-a-plan-to-halve-knife-crime
Crack down on costly subscription traps
Residents will keep more of their cash under a new Government crackdown on unwanted and misleading subscriptions, which will save consumers around £400 million every year.
New rules announced by the Government, could save residents on average around £14 every month per unwanted subscription - nearly £170 a year - by making it easier to cancel unwanted services.
These new measures will make it simpler and far less painful to escape unwanted subscriptions, stop people being silently rolled onto expensive contracts and ensure that companies are upfront and open when selling subscription services.
Once the rules come into force, expected to be in Spring 2027, consumers will benefit from:
Clear, simple information before signing up to any subscription
Reminders before free or discounted trials end, or 12month+ contracts automatically renew
Straightforward cancellations, including online exits for online sign ups
A 14-day cooling off period, after a free or discounted trial ends, or when a contract renews for 12 months or longer
Read more here: Consumers to save around £400 million every year from government crackdown on costly subscription traps - GOV.UK
Millions get extended rights through Employment Rights Act
On 6 April, new worker rights came into force across the UK under the Employment Rights Act.
These changes include:
Day‑one rights to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave.
Stronger redundancy protections, with the maximum collective redundancy protective award doubled.
Better protection for whistleblowers, especially those reporting sexual harassment at work.
Statutory Sick Pay improvements, by removing the lower earnings limit and the waiting period before pay starts.
Voluntary action plans to support gender equality and help employees through the menopause, including new guidance.
Stronger trade unions, by making the union recognition process simpler.
Two-child benefit cap comes to an end
This week, thousands of children, including 4,030 in Edgbaston were lifted out of poverty thanks to the end of the two-child benefit cap.
In the Autumn budget, the Chancellor shared the Government would scrap the two-child benefit cap introduced by the previous Government. The change has now come into force and lifted 450,000 children out of poverty, ensuring that every child has the best start in life.
Read more here: Preet Kaur Gill MP voted to end the Two Child limit in Parliament, benefiting 4,030 children living in Birmingham Edgbaston
Timms Review Update
Last year the government launched the Timms Review to ensure Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is fair and fit for the future in a changing world, and helps support disabled people to achieve better health, higher living standards and greater independence, including through employment.
The Review is currently calling for evidence seeking feedback and insight relating to the areas from people with experience of the current PIP system.
This call for evidence closes at 11:59pm on 28 May 2026. If you'd like to contribute, visit: Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment: Call for Evidence - GOV.UK
Local News
Register to vote for May elections
Birmingham City Council elections are taking place on Thursday 7th May. The deadline to register to vote, is Monday 20 April at 5pm, for those who wish to apply for a postal vote the deadline is until 5pm the following day on Tuesday 21 April.
To register visit: Register to vote - GOV.UK
Job Fairs in Birmingham
Job Fairs are taking place throughout the year at St Andrews Stadium. The next job fair will be on Friday 17th April 2026 at 10am - 1pm, you can sign up here: Birmingham Jobs Fair - Friday 17th April 2026
For details on future job fairs visit: Event Schedule | The Bridge - Connecting People | Job Fairs across the UK
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month 2026
This April marks Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, raising the profile of the UK's second biggest cancer killer. It's important for to get screened and to ensure you are aware of the symptoms.
Research shows that only 58% of Edgbaston residents take up screening - its essential people have information and are diagnosed as early as possible.
For more information visit: About bowel cancer | Bowel Cancer UK
National School Competition - Ceramics on the Moon!
Ceramics UK have launched a competition to inspire the next generation and highlight the importance of the ceramics sector.
Aimed at Key Stage 3 students, the Defying Gravity challenge introduces the wide range of careers in the ceramics industry, including engineering, digital design, creative communication and more.
All Key Stage 3 students (Years 7–9) are eligible to apply all they need to do is create an A1 poster that explains their idea, using drawings, pictures or designs.
All entries must be emailed by 19 June 2026 to marketing@ceramics-uk.org.
For more information visit: Ceramics on the moon — Ceramics UK
Have your say on Pride in Place funding for Woodgate and Bartley Green
Calling on Woodgate and Bartley Green residents - I want to hear how you think the £20 million Pride in Place investment should be spent.
After years of campaigning I've secured £20 million for Woodgate and Bartley Green as part of the Pride in Place programme.
Woodgate and Bartley Green have long faced challenges with limited opportunities for young people, and closure of community facilities. This investment aims to reverse years of underfunding, and rebuilding pride in local neighbourhoods.
I'm asking residents to share their thoughts on how the money should be used. It could be for more youth services, a community hub, improved outdoor spaces or more support for skills and employment. All ideas are welcome and will inform the plans for how the funding will be spent with the goal to benefit as many residents as possible.
Please complete the survey here.
Correcting local misinformation on Pride in Place
Recent leaflets distributed in Bartley Green by councillors contain clear misinformation about the Pride in Place programme. In a healthy democracy, facts matter and residents deserve accurate information, not material that misleads.
Let me be absolutely clear that at no point have I, or Birmingham City Council, stated that Woodgate Valley falls within the Pride in Place boundary. Claims that residents have been “duped” are false. Pride in Place is designed so that local people shape decisions, and while funding is targeted, the benefits will extend to surrounding communities, including Woodgate Valley.
It is also wrong to suggest that Pride in Place is the same as the previous Government’s Levelling Up Fund. These are entirely separate programmes. Bartley Green did not receive Levelling Up funding in fact, all five of Birmingham’s bids in 2023 were rejected by the Government.
Pride in Place represents a different approach. This is long-term investment, with £20 million over a decade, and it is not dictated by ministers in London. Decisions will be made locally, by the community, because local people know their area best. This is about shifting power back into the hands of residents.
With that opportunity comes responsibility. Those seeking to represent the community including councillors who may sit on the Neighbourhood Board must understand the programme and communicate it honestly. Spreading misinformation in election material undermines trust and does a disservice to residents.
Bartley Green deserves better than this, it deserves the full benefit of this transformative investment.
Advice surgeries
It was great to speak to residents at my advice surgeries on Thursday. Thank you to everyone who attended this month.
My next surgery will be on Friday 1st May, in the meantime, if you have any issues, please contact me on email preet.gill.mp@parliament.uk or call 0121 392 8426.
Mobile Household Waste Centre dates and locations
Birmingham City Council arranges Mobile Household Waste Centres across the city. Please details of the next collection in the constituency below.
Quinton | ||
30 April 2026 | Quinton Park car park, Highfield Lane, B32 1QX | 7:30am to 12:30pm |
To find the next pick-ups near you, please visit: Mobile Household Waste Centre dates and locations | Mobile Household Waste Centres | Birmingham City Council
Police drop-in sessions across all wards
West Midlands Police hold regular drop-ins and PACT meetings providing residents with the opportunity to speak directly with officers about concerns relating to crime in the community. Please see below a list of the drop-in sessions coming up in my constituency.
Bartley Green
PACT meeting (police and communities together)
8:00PM - 9:00PM, Tue 21 April 2026
Milebrook Hall, 143-151 Field Lane
Drop-in Session - HOLLOWAY HALL
10:00AM - 11:00AM, Mon 27 April 2026
Holloway Hall, Holloway, Birmingham
Find more information here: Birmingham | West Midlands Police
My WhatsApp channel
I’m excited to share I’ve launched a WhatsApp channel to share updates on my work in Parliament and in the Constituency.
If you’d like to subscribe you can do so here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7R7tsHbFV5Ja8iBF1z
As always, if you have an issue you'd like to discuss, please contact my office at 0121 392 8426 or preet.gill.mp@parliament.uk, or through my website.
With warm regards,
Preet Kaur Gill MP
Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton
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