Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 14 August 2026
- 6 hours ago
- 7 min read
This week the Government has delivered...
Ending rip-off discounts and subscription traps
The Prime Minister this week announced the first in a series of new ‘everyday fixes’ aimed at helping people with the cost of living, starting with action to tackle misleading discounts and unwanted subscription costs.
Under the plans, retailers will be banned from using deceptive pricing practices that give shoppers a false impression of savings. This includes artificially increasing prices before advertising a discount, or promoting offers that leave products costing the same as they did before. The measures are designed to protect consumers and ensure a level playing field for businesses that price their products honestly.
As the MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, I know that families are still carefully managing household budgets and want confidence that they are getting fair value for their money. With around 155 million active subscriptions across the UK and consumers estimated to be spending £1.6 billion a year on subscriptions they do not want, these reforms are a welcome step towards putting more money back into people’s pockets while strengthening consumer rights.
Read more here: PM starts roll out of ‘everyday fixes’ on the cost of living – ending rip-off discounts and subscription traps - GOV.UK
Extended powers to limit vape and betting shops
This week the Government announced new plans to give local communities greater control over their high streets, strengthening the powers of local councils and the police to tackle rogue businesses that do little to serve local residents.
Vape shops and betting shops have too often come to dominate our high streets, with local communities having little say over their spread. In Birmingham Edgbaston, we are fortunate to have thriving local centres on Dudley Road and Harborne High Street, which play an important role in supporting local businesses and bringing our communities together.
The new powers will give councils and residents a stronger voice in shaping their high streets, including greater powers to limit the opening of new betting shops and tighter controls on vape shops. These changes will help ensure our high streets better reflect the needs and priorities of the communities they serve.
Earlier in the year I asked a question in the Commons about the increasing number of dodgy shops blighting our high streets, watch above.
Read more here: PM vows to save “hollowed out high streets” with crackdown on vape and betting shops - GOV.UK
Half-price rail fares for young people as 16-17 railcard extended
Young people should not be priced out of education, employment or training. That is why this Labour Government is making transport more affordable for 16 to 18-year-olds.
The Government has announced that thousands more young people will benefit from cheaper rail travel through an extension of the 16-17 Saver railcard. From 17 August 2026, the railcard will remain valid for a full year from the date of purchase, rather than expiring when the holder turns 18.
The change will support students who remain in education or training during the next academic year, ensuring they can continue to access discounted travel. Under the previous rules, more than 70,000 students each year lost out on the maximum discount available, leaving them on average £175 worse off than their peers.
At a time when many families are carefully managing household budgets, this is a welcome step that will help more young people access education, training and employment opportunities while keeping travel costs down.
Read more here:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-students-to-save-from-september-as-changes-to-16-17-saver-railcard-come-in
Five things Government has done
I'm proud to be working for a Government that is committed to improving your lives, here's some of the things the Government has achieved in Birmingham Edgbaston since 2024.
Local News
Congratulations on A-level, T-level & BTEC Results day!
Congratulations to all our young people across Birmingham Edgbaston who received their A-level, T-Level and BTEC results on Thursday.
You have worked so hard for this moment and I hope you are proud of everything you have achieved.
Today is the start of an exciting new chapter. Believe in yourself, take every opportunity and keep aiming high.
School-based nurseries in Quinton
I'm delighted to welcome Government funding for two new school-based nurseries in Quinton, this investment will be a major help for many families.
At a time when access to childcare can be difficult these nurseries will make sure more families have a nursery closer to home.
I look forward to visiting Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School and Four Dwellings Primary School soon to see the fantastic work they're doing.
Read more here: https://www.labourhome.co.uk/preet_gill_mp_welcomes_funding_for_two_new_school_based_nurseries_in_birmingham
Community wins
As your local MP I represent our community and am determined to get things done. Constituents regularly contact me with issues that matter to them, and I work hard to raise these concerns with the organisations responsible and push for action. Here are some recent examples of the positive outcomes secured for local people across the constituency this week.
Fly-tipped items removed in Harborne
When a resident reported fly-tipped waste, including abandoned fridges, I reported them to the council and they were removed and arranged a street cleaning.
Potholes on Quinton Road repaired
Residents raised concerns of potholes on Quinton Road, I'm pleased that after reporting them, the council has now repaired the road.
Constituent paid reimbursement in Quinton
A resident wrote to me after unfairly having money taken by fraudsters, after contacting their bank, I'm glad we managed to secure them a reimbursement for the money lost.
If you have any issues you would like to raise with me please get in touch.
NO surgeries in August
Thank you to everyone who attended my surgeries in July. Please note I will not be holding surgeries in August. They will resume to my usual schedule in September, more information can be found here: Advice Surgeries | Preet Kaur Gill
In the meantime please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns.
Summer events
As we approach the summer holidays, there's plenty of fun, family-friendly activities to get involved in. Please see some we have coming up in Birmingham Edgbaston below.
Birmingham Anime & Gaming Con: 15-16 August
Taking place at Edgbaston Stadium, this family-friendly convention includes gaming zones, cosplay competitions, workshops, board games, live entertainment and activities suitable for children, teenagers and young adults.
More information: Birmingham Anime & Gaming Con 2026
Birmingham Botanical Gardens events:
Gardens Yoga: Saturday Mornings
Every Saturday from 25 July until 12 September, the Garden is offering Yoga from 9-10am.
Garden's Cinema
Four evenings of outdoors screenings in the garden. Films include: Sinners, Pulp Fiction, Jurassic Park
Live on the Bandstand: West Midlands Concert Band
23 August 2026
For more information on events at Botanical Gardens, visit: What's On | Birmingham Botanical Gardens
First Birmingham Banking Hub
I was pleased to open the first Banking hub in Birmingham 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, ensuring people can continue to access in-person banking when they need it.
It was featured in Birmingham Post, see above.
Read more here: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/new-hub-replaces-lost-banks-34371540
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 |
13 August 2026 | Woodgate Valley Park car park, Clapgate Lane, B32 3DS | 7:30am to 12:30pm |
7 September 2026 | Woodgate Valley Park car park, Clapgate Lane, B32 3DS | 7:30am to 12:30pm |
Ladywood (Closest to North Edgbaston) | ||
Date | Location | Time |
26 September 2026 | Osler Street, B16 9EU | 8:00am to midday |
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.
Bartley Green
Cuppa with a Coppa
10:00AM - 11:00AM, Thu 10 September 2026
Milebrook Hall, Field Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham
Edgbaston
PCSO walkabout
4:00PM - 5:00PM, Wed 19 August 2026
QE Hospital, Mindelsohn Way
PSCO walkabout
10:00AM - 2:00PM, Sat 12 September 2026
Artisan Market, Edgbaston
Harborne
PCSO walkabout
12:00PM - 2:00PM, Sat 15 August 2026
Hagley Road West, Harborne
PCSO walkabout
4:00PM - 6:00PM, Sat 29 August 2026
Hagley Road West, Harborne
PCSO walkabout
12:00PM - 2:00PM, Fri 04 September 2026
Hagley Road West, Harborne
Quinton
Drop in Surgery
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Tue 15 September 2026
Quinton Library, Ridgacre Road, Birmingham, B32 2TW
Drop in Surgery
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Tue 13 October 2026
Quinton Library, Ridgacre Road, Birmingham, B32 2TW
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
Here’s some things from last week you may have missed:
🧠159 new mental health support centres to be opened
🏗️Bringing back British jobs
💷Birmingham's first Banking Hub open in Harborne
Read last week's newsletter here: Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 7 August 2026
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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