Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 13th March 2026
- 18 minutes ago
- 8 min read
This Week the Government Announced...
Middle East situation impact
UK Armed Forces have been working around the clock over the past 10 days to defend our interests in the Middle East. The government’s first priority is to protect British nationals, British interests and our partners.
Since January, the Government has been strengthening our defensive presence in Cyprus and the Gulf, sending additional radar systems, counter-drone systems, Typhoons, F-35 jets, and ground-based air defence.
The RAF continues to fly defensive missions across the region, and drones directly threatening our interests have been shot down almost every day. At every stage, we are coordinating closely with our allies. Jets are flying every day to protect our people and our Allies. HMS Dragon will bring world-class air defence capability, and our Wildcat helicopters armed with Martlet missiles to counter the growing drone threat have arrived in Cyprus.
The attacks by Iran and its proxies are indiscriminate and dangerous. This Government has now approved the request from the US to use our basing – for a specific, defensive and limited purpose – so they can destroy Iran’s missiles at source.
Tech companies must protect women and girls from online abuse
This week, Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology convened a roundtable with major platforms including Snapchat, Meta, YouTube and TikTok to press them to go further and faster in protecting women and girls online. The Government has already taken action — making cyberflashing and intimate image abuse priority offences, banning ‘nudification’ tools, and requiring platforms to remove non-consensual images within 48 hours. But more needs to be done to ensure the safety of our children.
The Government is taking feedback on the Technology consultation on online use for young people, it is open until 26th May 2026, to feed into the consultation visit: Growing up in the online world: a national consultation - GOV.UK
Read more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tech-companies-must-go-above-and-beyond-to-protect-women-and-girls-from-online-abuse-or-face-further-action
Question to treasury - Community ownership
Putting local people in control of local assets is common sense. Pride in Place in Woodgate and Bartley Green gives my constituents the chance to rebuild our community thanks to our Government.
I asked the Treasury how this funding will help people take ownership of community assets, watch my full question above.
Protecting What Matters
This week, the Government published the Protecting What Matters a new call to action to create more cohesive communities and country. The plan strengthens social cohesion and builds resilient, uniting communities across the UK. At a time of rising global volatility, this strategy reinforces core British values of tolerance, fairness and shared responsibility. Strong communities aren’t just good for society - they’re vital for our national resilience.
Read more about the plan here: Coverage of cohesion action plan – MHCLG in the Media
Digital ID - consultation launched
The Government is launching a consultation on how to make public services work for ordinary people through digital ID. The consultation will run for eight weeks, and will be the first step in a national conversation around the scheme.
Dealing with Government services should be as easy and secure as online banking, saving people time by connecting them to services in one safe place. To do that, they need to be able to log on to the government app and prove who they are - their digital identity.
This government is building government services by app, to make public services work for ordinary people, in one safe place, at the touch of a button. This Government is moving away from the frustration of people feeling lost in a system of call centres, long paper forms and the need to tell their story multiple times to different parts of government.
The use of digital ID to access public services will be available for those who want it, and existing routes will continue to be available for those who prefer to do it that way.
The Consultation is open until 5th May 2026, you can feed in here: Making public services work for you with your digital identity - GOV.UK
Read more here: Government launches consultation on making public services quicker, easier and more secure to access with digital ID - GOV.UK
Finance Bill - taxation changes
This week, the Finance Bill reaches its third reading the House of Commons, These changes to taxation were announced by Chancellor, Rachel Reeves in the autumn budget. This Bill continues the work of the Government to deliver a fairer, more sustainable tax system, while ensuring the Government raises the revenue required to fund public services.
The decisions taken at the Budget on tax will see:
Working people protected from paying higher rates of tax in their payslips by maintaining our commitment not to increase the rates of income tax, employee national insurance contributions or VAT.
Property income tax rates increase by 2% from April 2027 so that landlords pay their fair share.
An increase in the ordinary and upper rates of tax on dividend income of 2% from April 2026 and the tax rate on savings income by 2% from April 2027 so that money earned from wealth is taxed more fairly.
This Government’s mission is to renew our economy and our communities. That is why the Budget made the fair and necessary choices – choices for a purpose: building a stronger, fairer country, where living standards rise, child poverty falls and public services are renewed in every corner of Britain.
For further information visit: Finance (No. 2) Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament
Local News
Appearance on Sky News
On Wednesday I joined the panel on Sky News to discuss the current affairs from this week. We discussed fuel prices, cost of living and the ongoing conflict in Iran's impact in the UK.
Watch my full appearance above.
Panel on Radio Live 5
This week, I joined BBC Radio 5's Nicky Campbell show speaking to callers about the issues of the day with a panel of other MPs. From defence strategy, to the importance of fixing potholes - it was great to join the show and speak about the work our Government is doing to improve our country.
Listen to the full show here: Nicky Campbell - Does the Lords need more reform? Plus your questions for MPs - BBC Sounds
Westminster Hall Debate - Sikh and Jewish ethnicity data collection by public bodies
Over the past few years, I have been speaking in Parliament about the need for public bodies to recognise Sikh and Jewish ethnicities within data collection.
On Wednesday, I led a Westminster Hall debate about how important it is to include this information in public data.
Watch my full speech above.
Happy International Women's Day 2026
On Sunday 8th March, the world celebrated International Women's day, a time to come together and celebrate the accomplishments of women across the world.
Listen to my message recorded for Akash radio above.
Applications to run Quinton Post office
The Post Office have opened applications for an applicant to run the Quinton Post Office Franchise on Hagley Road West.
It is so incredibly valuable to have a local post office in our community - and having a trusted local to run it is vital.
If you think you'd be a good fit, you can register your interest here: https://runapostoffice.co.uk/branch/quinton-post-office-birmingham-b32-1aj?search_term=B32%201AA
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.
Potholes repaired on Rotton Park Road
This week, after over a year of campaigning, along with local councillors, Marcus and Sharon I have successfully had dangerous potholes on Rotton Park Road repaired. I'm pleased this work has now been completed and the road has reopened.
If you have any concerns about potholes or road issues in your community, please get in touch.
Harborne on BBC's The Repair Shop
This week, Harborne resident Rupert James Conway appeared on the BBC’s The Repair Shop on the Road to turn a phone box into a defibrillator hub.
I worked with Rupert fundraising to transform the phone box into a usable defibrillator hub.
The phone box was adopted by Rupert in 2024, through the BT ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ scheme, supported by The Community Heartbeat Trust. The scheme allowed people to adopt a piece of heritage street furniture for the price of just £1. Rupert bought the box with the hopes of transforming it into a hub for local residents during emergencies.
You can watch the full episode on iplayer: BBC iPlayer - The Repair Shop on the Road - Series 2: Birmingham - A Call for Help with a Life-Saving Restoration
Student accommodation request denied
The Council have refused planning permission for a recent application to build two three storey student accommodation blocks on Denise Drive. Thanks to local residents raising the issue with me, if you have any further queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.
Surgeries
My Advice surgeries for March have now concluded, my next surgeries will be in April. Thank you for everyone who attended, and keep an eye out for details of my next surgeries on my social media and website.
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.
To find the next pick-ups near you 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
Drop-in Session - HOLLOWAY HALL
10:00AM - 11:00AM, Mon 30 March 2026
Holloway Hall, Holloway, Birmingham
Drop-in Session - ST FRANCIS COMMUNITY CHURCH
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Wed 08 April 2026
St Francis Community Centre, Glenside, Bartley Green
Find more information here: Birmingham | West Midlands Police
My WhatsApp channel
I’m excited to share I’ve launched a new 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
Here’s nine things the Government has delivered in England this week:
💷 The Spring Forecast shows this Government has the right economic plan, with inflation and borrowing falling and working people set to be over £1,000 better off.
💡 Decisions made at the Budget mean lower energy bills for families as the energy price cap falls.
🧩 Backed by £4 billion, the Government is strengthening support for children with SEND and investing in earlier help in schools.
🩺 A new GP contract, backed by £485 million, will mean better access to GPs with same-day appointments for urgent care
🏥 New NHS scanners will help detect osteoporosis earlier so thousands of patients can start treatment sooner.
🏫 New protections will help keep children with allergies safe at school, including spare adrenaline pens and staff training.
🚯 Councils now have stronger powers to clamp down on litter louts, including fines of up to £500 to help keep communities clean.
✡️ An independent review led by Sir David Bell will examine how schools tackle antisemitism and keep pupils safe.
🌍 The Government will deliver a migration system that is fair but firm and compassionate but controlled.
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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