Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update: 12-16th October
This week...
Government announced major partnership with UKHospitality to deliver 100,000 jobs for NEETs
The Government and UKHospitality are launching a major new partnership to create 100,000 job opportunities for young people not in employment, education or training in the hospitality sector.
The three year programme will offer paid jobs, work experience and training to unemployed 18-24-year-olds, helping them gain the skills, confidence and experience needed to get on in work.
Major Hospitality employers involved include Nando's, Marriott, Whitbread, Compass, Burger King, Parkdean Resorts, Wagamama, Haven, Fuller's, Merlin Entertainments, McDonald's, Stonegate Group, Mitchells and Butler, Sodexo, WSH Limited and De Vere.
This builds on the Government's announcement last month of 100,000 jobs in the retail sector, developed with the support of former M&S chief executive Marc Bolland who is convening employers to help the million young people not in education, work or training.
The partnership forms part of the Government's wider efforts to strengthen routes into work. Through an additional £2.5 billion investment in the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy, the Government will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.
Read more here: Britain's biggest hospitality brands partner with Government to deliver 100,000 jobs for NEET young people - GOV.UK
Government launched a national Fostering recruitment campaign
Foster carers provide love, stability and belonging to thousands of children every day. This Labour Government is renewing fostering: encouraging more people to consider fostering while improving support for existing carers and putting trusted, loving relationships at the heart of the care system.
More children in the care system in England will get the loving, supportive homes they need as the government calls on people to open their hearts and homes to some of the most vulnerable children in society.
A new national recruitment campaign – the first of its kind in England – will encourage adults to consider fostering, highlighting the fact that all kinds of different people can foster.
The campaign launch was marked by a celebration event at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday 13 October, bringing together foster carers frontline workers and people with lived experience of care.
The new campaign will target adults in their 30s and 40s who have the values and capacity to foster but may never have seriously considered it, supporting the government’s ambition to create 10,000 new foster care places by the end of this Parliament
There are more routes into fostering than ever before, but recent DfE polling found that too many adults are ruling themselves out before they find out more. The polling found that two thirds (66%) of people believe they could be a good foster carer if practical barriers were removed.
To enable more people to become foster carers, the DfE is providing £88 million of funding to reform fostering, including £12.4 million for the fostering innovation fund which will trial new models of foster care, such as short term ‘respite fostering’ or fostering at weekends, to open it up to a wider range of people.
The number of approved foster carers has fallen by 12% since 2019, while the number of children needing care has increased. This is why the government aims to create 10,000 new foster places by the end of this parliament.
If you have ever wondered whether fostering could be for you, speak to your local fostering service and find out. An enquiry is not a commitment.
Government announces new review to find Faster route to Brain Cancer treatments
People living with brain cancer will get a faster route from research to treatment, under four steps set out by the Prime Minister today.
This follows the Prime Minister and Health Secretary’s meeting in Downing Street with Archie Goodburn this week, the 25-year-old swimmer with inoperable brain cancer who made an emotional plea to the Prime Minister on BBC Breakfast.
Archie has campaigned for faster progress on brain cancer, and today’s steps build on the issues raised.
The steps announced this week:
An immediate expert review, led by Professor Anthony Chalmers, Chair of the Brain Tumour Group within the UK Collaborative for Cancer Clinical Research, reporting within three months. Leading brain cancer experts will assess what has changed for patients since a 2018 government review, and what is still holding progress back.
A national action plan to follow. The review’s findings will shape a plan to get new treatments out of the lab and to patients faster.
A new national brain cancer clinical lead to drive this work forward, appointed by the Department of Health and Social Care.
The Prime Minister has asked the MHRA to complete its review of the rules for medicines that treat rare conditions - known as orphan drugs - in two years rather than three. Bringing forward any changes to these rules could help patients get promising new treatments sooner.
Alongside this, patients, families and charities will help design a drive to get more people onto clinical trials.
This will be led by the Health and Social Care Secretary, who will host a roundtable with researchers, clinicians and charities to find new ways to boost participation.
Ministers will work with researchers and industry to make the UK a better place to run clinical trials in the UK, giving patients more opportunities to access promising new treatments. And next year, the Department of Health and Social Care will partner with Cancer Research UK to bring together global experts and promote Britain as a world leader in cutting-edge brain cancer study.
Government joins forces with Breast Cancer Now
Women across the country will be better supported to spot the signs of breast cancer and know where to turn for help as the government announced its first partnership to help deliver its Renewed Women’s Health Strategy.
Marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the Department of Health and Social Care will partner with the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, Breast Cancer Now, over the next 3 years, giving women practical information to build confidence in checking their breasts, recognising changes, and seeking advice sooner - particularly in underserved areas.
It comes as new research from Breast Cancer Now reveals almost a third (29%) of women in England who regularly check their breasts do not feel confident to notice a change, while just over one in 10 (11%) of those checking less than once a month say it’s because they do not know what to look out for.
One in 5 (20%) UK adults also say they are not confident they would know where to find trusted information about breast cancer if they had concerns.
Women will also be provided with better support after their treatment, including clear information to understand the possible signs of breast cancer returning or spreading and how to live a healthy lifestyle post breast cancer treatment.
Healthcare professionals will receive additional training, alongside a practical toolkit for healthcare teams, so they can provide the best possible advice to women adapting post-treatment.
One in 7 women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime and around 11,500 women still die from the disease each year. Caught early, at stage 1, almost 100% of people survive for at least 5 years. But when it’s caught late, at stage 4, that drops to 32%, making it cause for deep concern that so many women lack confidence in spotting breast cancer signs and symptoms.
The partnership is the first to be announced as part of the government’s Renewed Women’s Health Strategy, which puts women’s voices at the heart of improving healthcare and sets out action to help women live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
The Department of Health and Social Care are partnering with Breast Cancer Now to deliver 3 outcomes:
Women can easily access trusted breast health information
Women make regular breast checking a habit, recognise the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and know to go straight to a GP if they notice any unusual changes
Women are supported when finishing primary breast cancer treatment, with crucial information about spotting any signs of breast cancer returning
Read more here: Government joins forces with Breast Cancer Now - GOV.UK
Announced a consultation on Support Exempt Accommodation regulation
When it works, Supported Exempt Accommodation saves lives and money.
However, as I have seen time and time again across Birmingham Edgbaston, bad actors have been allowed to exploit the system and profit from the neglect of people who are suffering.
I welcome the Government's consultation on new regulation, and encourage all stakeholders - including residents - to have their say by completing the survey below.
Complete the survey here: Supported housing licensing regime: consultation on draft regulations - GOV.UK
Local News - In Birmingham Edgbaston
I wrote to the Director General of the BBC about importance of recording the Archers in Birmingham
The Archers belongs in Birmingham.
have written to the BBC because I want it to stay here, and I support Richard Parker’s efforts to secure that.
Read my letter in full above.
I visited Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School
It was a pleasure to visit Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School in Quinton this week, who were recently awarded a strong Ofsted report following an inspection in July.
Earlier this year, I was pleased to have secured funding for two new school-based nurseries in Quinton, with one at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School and one at Four Dwellings Primary School.
The School Principal, Mr Shanahan, showed me where the building will be, with it expected to open for teaching later this academic year.
I met with residents at Hagley Road Retirement Village
On Thursday, I was delighted to meet with residents and staff at the Hagley Road Retirement Village in Edgbaston. It was wonderful to see the facilities and activities on offer for residents, including a library, a crafts studio, a beauty salon, and a restaurant.
I was also pleased to talk with residents about my work as their Member of Parliament, and to discuss the issues that mattered to them.
These ranged from important local issues like transport links and road safety, to my views on the recent Assisted Dying Bill, which I voted against.
Thank you to residents who took the time to speak with me.
I celebrated Birmingham Civic Society’s Next Generation Awards
On Thursday, I was delighted to present awards to the attending schools at the Next Generation Awards.
For twenty-one years, Birmingham Civic Society has run the Next Generation Awards (NGA), working with more than 40,000 young people to promote active citizenship among young people from all backgrounds across the city.
The NGA is a free project-based programme for pupils aged 11–14 in Birmingham schools. It develops skills in teamwork, ICT, presentation, creative writing and problem-solving, while encouraging pupils to become active citizens who contribute positively to the city’s future.
Birmingham Civic Society believes passionately that children have an important contribution to make to the development of Birmingham. The programme gives them a platform to share their ideas, hopes and expectations as the city’s future citizens.
Pupils work in teams to identify issues and trends affecting people in their communities. They research these issues, develop proposals for action that could improve life in the future, and present their ideas to an assessment panel to compete for Gold, Silver or Bronze awards.
At this October’s finals, a judging panel selected the winning team, King Edwards Camp Hill for Boys. The team received the £1,500 ‘Newman Prize’, courtesy of sponsors at Birmingham Newman University, together with support from a mentor to help get its project off to a flying start. Secondary schools that participated in last year’s programme also received plaques commemorating their involvement.
Congratulations to all schools, pupils, and staff involved.
I visited Xcelerate with Edgbaston
It was fantastic to visit, Xcelerate with Edgbaston, which is a regional skills and learning hub in Birmingham.
Delivered in partnership with Edgbaston, the hub was announced in November 2023 and opened in February 2024. It is based at Edgbaston Stadium and provides state-of-the-art training spaces, including kitchens, bars and front-of-house areas, designed to give learners practical, real-world experience.
The hub supports Compass’ Social Promise commitment to positively impact one million lives by 2030 through employment, education, training and community engagement, as well as its wider Classroom to Careers strategy. Since opening, Xcelerate with Edgbaston has welcomed more than 7,000 people and is progressing towards its target of 8,000 by 2028.
Xcelerate with Edgbaston hosts programmes that help people across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands develop workplace skills and experience. The site’s programmes include Youth Employment Support, which provides 25 hours of workplace experience over a six-month period for young people who are not in education, employment or training, Job Grants activity, and the Junior Chef Academy, a 10-week experience and mentorship programme designed to inspire the next generation of chefs. Compass is also participating in the Government’s Youth Employment Guarantee.
Across Compass, during 2026, the Junior Chef Academy is expected to deliver 25 programmes, with plans to expand to 100 programmes annually by 2028, supporting around 1,500 young people each year. The site also hosts specialist partner-led training, including culinary workshops, coffee training and Bar Excellence masterclasses. In recognition of its impact, Xcelerate with Edgbaston won Best Educational Programme at the Institute of Hospitality Awards 2025.
Panel - Powering Tech and Clean Growth in the West Midlands
This week I was pleased to sit on a panel organised by UK Private Capital where I discussed Powering tech innovation and clean growth across the West Midlands.
The Invest Midlands Forum & Reception is part of a series of policy engagement events aimed at driving investment in the nations and regions of the UK. It provided a fantastic opportunity to bring together policy makers, investors from leading private equity and venture capital firms, and local institutional investors.
In the West Midlands, more than 4,900 low-carbon environmental goods and services businesses support nearly 93,000 jobs, while the region benefits from five Energy Innovation Zones, Tyseley Energy Park, and more than 50 accelerators and innovation programmes.
Private capital-backed clean technology firms in the West Midlands are more than twice as likely to hold patents as firms without private capital backing.
Media
GB News - This Government's action on immigration
This week I spoke to GB News about the action that this Government is taking to secure our borders and tackle illegal migration.
Watch my full interview above.
BBC Politics Live - The impact of Brexit
The Prime Minister is holding a UK-EU summit next month.
Let's have an honest conversation on the impact of Brexit on our economy, security, and migration.
Birmingham must take action on Exempt accommodation
I have been campaigning for stronger action on exempt accommodation because, when supported housing works well, it changes lives. It gives someone leaving prison the chance to turn a corner, helps a person escape homelessness, and enables those dealing with addiction, poor mental health, or domestic abuse to rebuild their lives.
In 2021, I worked alongside local residents, Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police to secure the closure of Saif Lodge in North Edgbaston after serious concerns were raised about poor living conditions, inadequate support for vulnerable residents, and antisocial behaviour affecting the local community.
Birmingham has some excellent supported housing providers that offer safe accommodation, proper support, and a route towards independence. However, their work is being undermined by a broken system that has allowed unscrupulous operators to exploit vulnerable people and extract vast sums from the taxpayer.
We need to do more to support reputable providers while preventing exploitative operators from taking advantage of vulnerable people. Everyone deserves access to safe, high-quality supported housing that helps them move forward with their lives, and Birmingham cannot afford to wait any longer for action.
Birmingham Airport announces a major public consultation on its future – Edgbaston residents can have their say
Birmingham Airport has announced its ambition to become the Midlands’ gateway to the world. It is consulting on a draft Master Plan, which sets out a long-term vision for how the Airport could grow and evolve over the period to 2041.
The Airport is consulting from 8 October 2026 to 4 December 2026. Our consultation closes on 4 December 2026.
A local drop-in consultation event will take place at:
· St Mary’s Parish Centre, Harborne, B17 0DN, on Wednesday 28 October 11am–3pm
How to get involved:
· Online – Share your thoughts in a feedback form on our website: www.birminghamairport.co.uk/masterplan/
· Email – Send your feedback to: masterplan@birminghamairport.co.uk
· Post – MASTER PLAN 2026-2041, Birmingham Airport, Birmingham, B26 3QJ
· Drop-in events – Come along to learn more and speak with the project team Find out more: www.birminghamairport.co.uk/masterplan/
First Banking hub opened in Birmingham
After campaigning to protect access to face-to-face banking in Harborne, it was an honour to open Birmingham’s first Banking Hub on Harborne High Street.
The new Hub provides everyday banking services for customers of all major banks, including cash withdrawals and deposits, cheque deposits, bill payments and balance enquiries. Individual banks will also provide face-to-face appointments on dedicated days each week.
This is a significant achievement for Harborne and Birmingham. I promised residents I would fight to protect face-to-face banking, and I am delighted that together we have delivered Birmingham’s first Banking Hub for our high street.
I was pleased that this story was featured in Birmingham Post in print; please read below.
Read more here: Birmingham Edgbaston MP opens first Banking Hub in Birmingham
Green at Sir Richard's Drive Secured
When Calthorpe Estates put the Green on Sir Richard’s Drive up for sale, I wrote to local residents and called a public meeting to bring everyone together to find a solution. More than 130 people came. I continued working with Calthorpe Estates. Mark and Sally led the residents’ effort to buy the land for the community.
I am delighted that the Green has now been secured. Mark and Sally kept the community effort moving, and residents backed it by coming together around a shared plan to protect this much loved space. Mukesh of Murria Solicitors gave his legal expertise voluntarily to help turn that plan into a structure that could hold the Green for the community.
Thank you to Mark, Sally, Mukesh, Calthorpe Estates and every resident who played a part. This is a real achievement for Quinton.
UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Programme 25-27 January 2027
Applications for the UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Programme in January 2027 are now open. Teachers from schools and colleges across the UK are eligible to apply for the three-day immersive training programme, with the opportunity to hear from MPs and those working in key roles across UK Parliament. The tools developed will help teachers lay the foundation to gaining Teacher Ambassador status.
Deadline to apply is Sunday 1 November.
Find out more here: https://learning.parliament.uk/en/session-workshop/uk-parliament-teacher-ambassador-programme/
Community wins
In Quinton:
I secured a £1000 backpayment from the Department for Work and Pensions for a mistake they made on my constituent's award.
In Edgbaston:
I had a constituent's benefits cap lifted after it was wrongly imposed. My constituent is a full-time carer, and needed the full extent of his benefits to undertake caring duties.
In Bartley Green:
I contacted Birmingham City Council on behalf of a constituent who had severe mould in her bathroom. The council have since ordered repair work and have arranged alternative accommodation for my constituent.
If you have any issues you would like to raise with me, please get in touch.
Phone: 0121 392 8426
Email: Preet.gill.mp@parliament.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 am 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.
Mobile Household Waste Centre dates and locations
Birmingham City Council arranges Mobile Household Waste Centres across the city.
Bartley Green | ||
Date | Location | Time |
31 October 2026 | Woodgate Valley Park car park, Clapgate Lane, B32 3DS | 8:00am to midday |
North Edgbaston | ||
Date | Location | Time |
25 October 2026 | George Dixon Academy, Portland Road, B16 9GD | 8:00am to midday |
Ladywood (Close to North Edgbaston) | ||
Date | Location | Time |
19 October 2026 | Osler Street, B16 9EU | 7:30am to 12:30pm |
To find the next pick-ups near you, please visit: Mobile Household Waste Centre dates and locations
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.
Drop in Surgery
5:00PM - 6:00PM, Tue 10 November 2026
Quinton Library, Ridgacre Road, Birmingham, B32 2TW
Find more information here: Birmingham | West Midlands Police
To receive regular updates about the police in your area, sign up for WM Now updates here.
Here’s some things from last week you may have missed:
· Announced investment for High Streets
· Airline passenger rights update
· Celebrated first National Cadets Week
Read last week's update here: Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update: 5-9th October
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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