This week, Labour hosted hundreds of businesses and investors in London at a highly successful International Investment Summit. At the summit, the new Labour government secured £63 billion investment and nearly 38,000 UK jobs, more than double the amount secured by the Conservatives last year.
Through serious, stable governance, the UK is attracting tens of billions of pounds of new investment which is crucial to Labour’s driving mission of delivering economic growth. This historic investment sum shows that businesses have confidence in Britain as a place to invest.
That money includes: four major tech firms based in the US have announced £6.3 billion in UK data centres which is critical to enhancing the UK’s AI capacity – in turn fuelling Britain’s economic growth and spurring on AI development.
Blackstone has confirmed a £10 billion investment in Blyth, Northumberland to create one of the largest artificial intelligence data centres in Europe, creating 4,000 jobs, including 1,200 roles dedicated to the construction of the site.
Manchester Airports Group has announced that it is investing more than £1.1 billion in London Stansted Airport to expand its existing terminal by around a third, helping secure new air routes to key business and leisure destinations, boost local supply chains and create 5,000 jobs.
ABP, the UK’s largest port operator, has committed over £200 million to a joint investment with ferry company Stena Line in a new freight ferry terminal at the Port of Immingham. It is expected to create around 700 jobs during construction and around 200 permanent jobs once operational. Read about our investment here.
Industrial Strategy Launch
At the Summit, we also launched our Industrial Strategy. Our strategy will focus on driving long-term growth in key sectors, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries, creative industries, defence, digital and tech, financial services, life sciences and professional and business services. More information here.
We also published our green paper, bringing together UK leaders, high-profile investors and businesses from around the world. If you would like to take part in the Government’s consultation and submit your views on our approach, you can do so here.
Reception
At the Investment Summit Reception last Sunday
As part of the investment summit, it was great to attend the reception at Lancaster House, hosted by Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
This Government is determined to deliver on Britain’s potential so we can rebuild Britain and make every part of the country better off.
Housebuilding
Our Labour government has also this week announced a £68 million brownfield land release fund for 54 councils across England to transform neglected land and disused buildings and unlock 5,200 new homes. This is part of our plan to tackle the housing crisis and restore the dream of home ownership for families across the country. More information here.
Nurseries
We have now kickstarted our plan for 3,000 school-based nurseries, launching a first round of funding worth £15 million. The work forms part of the government’s Opportunity Mission, which will break the unfair link between background and opportunity – starting with giving every child the best start in life and resetting the relationship with the early years sector to boost life chances for children and work choices for parents.
Primary schools can now apply for up to £150,000 of funding. More information here.
Car Insurance
We have also announced a taskforce to tackle the high cost of car insurance – a major step forward in getting a fair deal for UK drivers by rooting out factors that increase costs for the car insurance industry. Find out more here.
Telegraph Poles
In the Chamber asking a question about broadband poles
It was great to intervene in Laurence Turner MP’s adjournment debate in Parliament this week about telegraph poles. In my constituency, unscrupulous providers like Brsk have been needlessly erecting unsightly broadband poles on roads when there is already good connectivity. In one case, residents have told me there are five different broadband poles that have gone up on one single road despite there being no prior connectivity issue.
Where possible, these providers should be using existing infrastructure or building underground. I asked Laurence Turner MP if he agreed with me that providers shouldn’t be behaving like this and that the rollout should be strategically focused and prioritised.
Co-operative Party Event
Chairing a discussion at the Co-operative Change showcase
Over the weekend, it was great to chair the Co-operative Change showcase in Manchester. It was wonderful to hear from brilliant speakers, including Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, about how we plan to deliver on our co-operatives aims locally and in government, such as doubling the size of the co-operative sector.
It was really promising to see new MPs committed to our community energy, community power and community growth initiatives. I’m also so excited to be working with 43 new co-operators who showcased over the weekend why co-operative solutions matter and how they can make a difference for our communities.
Diwali
Enjoying the Diwali event
It was brilliant to attend the Diwali celebration hosted by the British Fashion Council and Bags of Ethics at the Royal Automobile Club. It was a lovely chance to celebrate the festival of lights and South Asian craft, culture and fashion.
Women's Faith Forum Event
Together at the Women's Faith Forum event in Parliament
This week, it was great to speak at the Women’s Faith Forum event in Parliament to mark Hate Crime Awareness Week.
It’s completely unacceptable that when I speak up as a Sikh woman, along with female faith leaders, I remain an easy target of hate simply because of my gender.
While division is seeping across society, women’s interfaith work is now more important than ever. It’s vital that we come together to tackle the rise in hatred that we are seeing in our communities.
Breast Cancer Screening
At the Breast Cancer Now Parliamentary drop-in
It was great to meet Breast Cancer Now in Parliament and their supporters who help to fund life-changing breast cancer research.
Breast screening is crucial for saving women’s lives from breast cancer. I am urging more women in Birmingham, Edgbaston to get tested.
Prostate Cancer
At the prostate cancer Parliamentary drop-in
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK – every year, over 12,000 men die as a result of the disease.
It was good to meet with Prostate Cancer UK and thank them for the work they are doing to raise awareness and address health inequalities and late diagnosis. I would strongly encourage more men in Birmingham, Edgbaston to get tested.
Kinship Carers
At the Kinship Carers Parliamentary drop-in
It was great to meet Kinship Carers in Parliament today. As an ex-children's services manager, I have seen first-hand the positive impact of placing children in the care of family members.
Downing Street
Outside No. 10!
It was also great to join colleagues in Downing Street this week. It was great to talk about bringing communities together, what we’ve learnt from the General Election and how a Labour government can deliver in our constituencies.
Private Schools
With head teachers and representatives from constituency private schools
It was good to meet up with headteachers and representatives from private schools in the constituency this week.
Local News
Harborne Day Centre
I'm extremely disappointed to hear that Birmingham City Council has voted to close down Harborne Day Centre in my constituency.
The centre is a lifeline to the carers and users, many of whom have complex care needs and require services that cannot be provided elsewhere.
I will be working with carers and residents to fight its closure and to secure a viable solution for our community. You can read my full statement below.
Warm Homes Discount
Our Labour government is committed to ensuring that nobody is left struggling this winter. That's why this week we've launched the Warm Home Discount Scheme, a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill. You can find out if you're eligible for this payment here.
If you require any additional help with paying your energy bills or finding out which schemes you may be eligible for, please get in touch with my office by contacting 0121 392 8426.
Jo Cox Leadership Scheme
Applications for Cohort 7 of the Jo Cox Leadership Scheme are now open! Any Labour woman member with a year’s party membership can apply.
I learnt so much during my time on the Jo Cox Leadership Scheme, and those who mentored me undoubtedly helped me to get where I am today. I met outstanding women from all parts of the labour movement, from councillors to trade unionists, many of whom have gone on to do great things.
I’d encourage anyone interested to find out more about the programme and how to apply here.
CCMA
There is an upcoming public consultation on the City Centre Movement and Access (CCMA) strategy. The Consultation will remain open until Monday 18th November 2024.
Tranch 2 focuses on proposals on Broad Street and the A38 Weaving sections. Please visit the Birmingham Be Heard website for further details about the proposals and to respond to the online survey here.
Events
Next Tuesday, 22nd October, City Road Methodist Church is hosting a Black History Lunch, including live poetry, Carribean food and stories of black heritage.
Lunch is served from 12pm – 2pm at Your Money Your Way Hub, Selwyn Road, B16 0NL (Back of City Road Methodist Church).
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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