Growth
With Rachel Reeves at IFG event in the West Midlands
This week, our Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the biggest set of reforms to the pensions market in decades. These reforms could unlock around £80 billion of investment for infrastructure projects and businesses of the future, boost people’s savings and drive economic growth. Find out more here.
National Youth Strategy
With school children in the constituency
Our Government has announced that we will have a new National Youth Strategy to break down the barriers to opportunity for young people in every community. Young people will be invited to form part of a national conversation to help co-produce this strategy so that it is by young people, for young people. Find out more here.
Retail crime
With shopworkers at a Co-op in the constituency
Labour is introducing tough new measures to tackle shoplifting, which is a blight on our communities. We are investing millions of pounds of new money to tackle shoplifting, bringing forward tougher action against criminals who assault retail workers, and recruiting 13,000 additional neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs back on the street. Find out more from Dame Diana Johnson’s speech on antisocial behaviour here.
Climate
At Cop-29 in Azerbaijan, we secured £1 billion investment in offshore wind, which is a major step forward in our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower. It will fire up our industrial heartlands and break down barriers to growth across the country.
Our Prime Minister Keir Starmer also announced our new world-leading target to cut UK emissions by 81%, because there is no national security or economic security without climate security. This commitment will protect future generations, deliver jobs and drive economic growth. Find out more here.
Small Boats
We have been delivering on our commitment to secure our borders. This week, a man suspected of being a significant supplier of small boat equipment has been arrested, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the UK’s National Crime Agency and their Dutch and Belgian counterparts. It’s clear that the Government's approach to smashing criminal gangs is already having an impact. Find out more here.
NHS
Labour is delivering on our mission to build an NHS fit for the future. We are introducing tough reforms to cut waiting times, ensuring every penny of extra investment is well spent, and creating a new NHS league table to improve performance. The public can see improvements being made.
We are also delivering on our pledge to cut waiting lists, with waiting lists falling this week. Since we ended the strikes, we have been ramping up delivery of an extra 40,000 extra appointments every week. With the investment in the Budget, and our tough new accountability measures, we will get patients treated faster. Find out more here.
IFG Public Services Conference
Speaking on the panel at the IFG conference
It was great to speak on the panel at the Institute for Government’s public services conference on NHS reform or repair. I spoke about many things, including the Government’s reform agenda which focusses on three main transitions: hospital to community, analogue to digital and sickness to prevention.
You can watch the full event here.
Co-op Visit
With shopworkers at a Co-op in Edgbaston
I visited shopworkers at a local Co-operative supermarket in Edgbaston. Under the Conservatives, shoplifting offences skyrocketed. According to Trade Union Usdaw, in the year to June 2024 alone there was a 29% increase in shoplifting offences. The shopworkers I met this week have seen high levels of shoplifting with their own eyes. They’ve faced a wave of abuse, threats, and violence.
It’s not right that shopworkers and customers in my constituency are made to feel unsafe by this rise in crime. Labour has announced new measures to take tough action on those that shoplift or assault shopworkers. A great campaign from the Co-op Party and Usdaw Union.
Threats
Speaking to ITV about the threats I faced during the General Election
I spoke to ITV news about the abuse politicians face on a day-to-day basis. During the latest election, over half of election reported facing abuse and harassment.
It's not right that politicians have to put up with unacceptable levels of threats, abuse and harassment as part of the job. MPs should be able to serve their constituents without fearing for their safety. You can watch the report and read the accompanying article here.
Asthma and Lung Parliamentary Reception
At the Asthma + Lung UK Reception
It was great to attend an informative Parliamentary Reception hosted by Asthma + Lung UK. Lung conditions are the third leading cause of death in the UK, and we have the worst death rates in the whole of Europe. Labour’s health mission will ensure that the NHS gets back on its feet and has a relentless focus on prevention.
Remembrance
Laying a wreath at St Peter's Church, Harborne
On Remembrance Sunday, I laid a wreath at St Peter’s Church, Harborne in honour of those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our values and freedoms. We will remember them.
My message from the Speaker's Remembrance Garden
UoB Politics Society
With students from the UoB Politics Society
I'd like to thank the Politics Society for inviting me to speak at the University of Birmingham last night. It was a great discussion on UK and global politics. It's wonderful to see students engaged in politics and interested in the change a Labour government can bring.
Eleanor Crook Foundation
With the Eleanor Crook Foundation this week
It was great to meet with the Eleanor Crook Foundation in Parliament, who are doing brilliant work to end global malnutrition.
Events
Coffee Morning
Tomorrow, I am hosting a coffee morning at Quinborne Community Centre, 8 Overdale Road, B32 2TW. Drop by if you’d like a chance to meet and chat with me, your local MP.
I will be at the centre between 10 and 11am.
Haven AGM
This Saturday, from 12-2pm, the Haven Community Project is hosting an AGM at The Hub at Faraday Avenue in Quinton, B32 1JP.
Lunch will be provided and it is an opportunity to find out more about what the project is up to.
Quinton Foodbank
This Saturday between 4 and 6pm, Quinton foodbank will be collecting at the Harborne Christmas lights switch-on. You can support by donating one or two items from the list below:
Tinned meat/fish
Tinned veg/fruit
Lentils
Coffee/hot chocolate
Milk UHT
Custard
Fruit juice (long-life)
Tinned rice pudding
Jam
Toilet Roll
For more information, contact quinton.foodbank.org.uk.
MHWC
Next Monday, 18th November, the MHWC will be visiting Westfield Road, B15 3JF, in Edgbaston. The centre will be open between 7:30am and 1pm, so please do come along if you have bulky household waste to dispose of.
Gurpurab
Happy Gurpurab to all Sikhs celebrating. Let us remember Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s timeless message of equality and Sarbat da Bhalla — working for the betterment of all helps our path of unity, compassion and selfless service, spreading peace and kindness in the world.
Best wishes,
Preet Kaur Gill MP
Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton
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