Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 19th June 2026
- Jun 18
- 12 min read
Updated: Jun 21
This Week the Government has delivered...
Protecting Children online
This week, the Prime Minister announced plans to ban social media platforms from offering services to under-16s, marking a major step towards creating a safer online environment for children and young people.
The proposals would introduce some of the strongest online protections in the world. The ban would apply to user-to-user social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube and X. Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal would not be included.
Alongside the ban, the Government also plans to introduce world-leading safeguards by blocking harmful features for under-16s, including livestreaming and strangers contacting children online. These protections would also extend to a wider range of online services, including gaming platforms.
Before entering Parliament, I worked in child protection for many years, so I have seen first-hand the lasting impact that harm can have on young people’s lives. While the online world brings many opportunities, it also presents real risks. As technology evolves, so too must the protections we put in place for children.
I was pleased to hold a roundtable discussion with Year 8 and Year 9 pupils at Lordswood Girls’ School to hear directly from them about these proposals. They spoke openly about the pressures they face online, the benefits social media can bring, and the changes they believe are needed to make the internet a safer place.
Their views were fed back to Government and have actively helped shape the legislation. It is vital that the voices of young people are heard when developing policies that will directly affect them.
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, play and grow up safely. These proposals are an important step towards strengthening protections for children online while helping parents feel more confident that their children are better protected in the digital world.
Read more here: Social media to be banned for under-16s in landmark government move to give kids their childhood back - GOV.UK
New Powers to Protect Communities from Foreign Threats
This week the Government introduced new legislation to strengthen Britain's ability to tackle hostile activity carried out on behalf of foreign states, including through proxy organisations and criminal networks.
The National Security (State Threats) Bill will give the Home Secretary new powers to designate foreign state-linked organisations and give police and intelligence agencies with stronger tools to disrupt hostile activity.
The legislation follows a recent rise in state-backed hostile activity, including antisemitic attacks and attempts by foreign actors to intimidate communities and undermine Britain's democratic values.
The new powers will make it a criminal offence to support, assist, receive payment from, or publicly glorify designated organisations acting on behalf of hostile foreign states, with offenders facing up to 14 years in prison.
PM at G7 summit
At a time of rising global instability, including conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Prime Minister is using the G7 summit to work with partners to reduce pressures on household bills, strengthen supply chains and unlock new opportunities for British workers.
The investments include:
£25 million investment from Indian based tech firm Hexaware Technologies to expand its UK operations, creating around 1,200 jobs in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham in AI, digital services and quantum technologies
£1 billion from InfraVia to invest in a pipeline of battery storage and flexible energy projects across the UK — helping ensure electricity remains available when demand is high, and keeping the grid stable and affordable
More than £300 million from Atri Energy Transition to develop large-scale battery storage and advanced manufacturing creating more than 100 jobs and supporting the UK’s clean energy future
Read more here: Prime Minister secures major jobs and energy investment at G7 to deliver growth and security at home - GOV.UK
Great British Summer VAT
Next Thursday (25 June) the Government launches Great British Summer Savings which means more savings for families across Birmingham Edgbaston.
The scheme includes the following measures:
VAT Cut on Activities and Dining: VAT is temporarily reduced from 20% to 5% from June 25 to September 1. This applies to tickets for theme parks, zoos, museums, fairs, soft play, cinemas, theatres, concerts, and children's meals in restaurants and cafés.
Free Bus Travel: Children and teens aged 5–15 in England can ride local buses for free throughout August.
Other Cost-of-Living Support: The government is also suspending certain basic food import tariffs and extending the fuel duty freeze
Read more here: Great British Summer Savings: VAT slashed to save families money on days out - GOV.UK
Insourcing - plan to bring vital staff back in-house
The government has published new guidance to provide a route for bringing key services back in-house and get the absolute best value for taxpayers.
While the government will continue to work collaboratively with a whole range of suppliers to the public sector, the new Public Interest Test will ensure departments and officials look beyond short-term pricing to focus on long-term service quality and public value for contracts over £1 million.
Under the new guidance, central government departments with over £100 million in annual contract spend will create five-year roadmaps to rebuild their in-house capabilities, reversing years of outsourcing that eroded the state’s capacity to deliver its own services.
Read more here: Ambition to end era of ‘outsourcing by default’ as government looks to bring cleaners and security staff in-house - GOV.UK
Westminster Hall debate - Mental Health
Mental Health should be treated with the same seriousness, urgency and ambition as physical health.
In our 10 year plan we set out our vision for a neighbourhood health service – ensuring patients are closer to the care they need and bringing a fragmented system together to make it better for those who need support.
Watch my speech responding on behalf of the government to the debate above.
Remembering Jo Cox
This week marked ten years since the death of MP Jo Cox, we remember her powerful words: “We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.” As a graduate of the Jo Cox Women in Leadership programme, her example continues to inspire me. Her compassion, courage and determination to make a difference are values I carry with me every day.
A decade on, her legacy lives on in the people and communities she inspired, and in our shared commitment to building a kinder, more united country.
Inflation is steady
Inflation has been reported to be steady at 2.8% in May, beating expectations that it would rise due to global conflicts, which are pushing prices up globally. This shows that this Government have the right economic plan, with out cut to energy bills and fuel duty freeze helping to protect households.
Local News
New Banking hub in Harborne
After years of campaigning to keep bank provisions in Harborne, I am pleased I have secured this significant win for our High Street.
When banks started closing their doors on our High Street, residents told me loud and clear that they were worried about losing access to essential banking services.
I was determined that Harborne would not simply be abandoned as bank after bank disappeared from our High Street.
The opening of this Banking Hub is the result of my sustained campaigning with local residents.
Read more here: https://www.preetkaurgill.co.uk/post/preet-gill-mp-secures-harborne-banking-hub-after-years-of-fighting-bank-closures
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.
Politics Live appearance
On Tuesday I joined BBC Politics Live panel to discuss the latest news of the day, issues varied from Defence to the ten years since the loss of Jo Cox.
Watch the full episode here: BBC iPlayer - Politics Live - Keir Starmer meets world leaders
Maggie's cancer charity - expansion in Birmingham
I’m delighted to welcome the construction of a new Maggie’s Centre in my constituency, next to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
A cancer diagnosis changes every aspect of life, not just for the person receiving treatment but for their loved ones too. Maggie’s provides free practical, emotional and psychological support alongside NHS care, helping people navigate everything from the emotional impact of a diagnosis to financial advice and support throughout treatment and beyond.
This is a hugely important addition for our community. The West Midlands has some of the lowest cancer survival rates in the country, and demand for cancer services continues to grow. Having a Maggie’s Centre alongside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital means that people across Birmingham and the wider region will have access to expert support at a time when they need it most.
I welcome the leadership shown by the Trust and the generous support of Sir Peter Rigby in helping make this centre a reality. It will make a real difference to thousands of people and families facing cancer, ensuring they receive not only outstanding clinical care but also the practical and emotional support that is so important throughout their cancer journey.
Read more here: The Sir Peter Rigby Charitable Trust to bring Maggie's to the West Midlands for the first time | Maggie's
Sky News appearance
On Friday, I spoke to Sky News about the victory in Makerfield and what the Government is doing to improve the lives of families across Britain.
Watch my clip above.
Speech at Alzheimer's Research event
I was honoured to speak at the Alzheimer's society discussing the impact dementia has on communities, and work this Government is doing to support Alzheimer's research. Within Birmingham Edgbaston around 1,130 people are living with dementia, though one in three people living with dementia do not have a diagnosis, meaning the true number could be much higher. That's why the work of Alzheimer's Research matters so much, it helps build a more hopeful future for dementia research.
I commend all the brilliant work Alzheimer's Research does to improve the lives of those living with dementia.
Bonuses for nursery teachers in Birmingham Edgbaston
This Government has launched £4,500 bonus to attract graduate teachers to Birmingham Edgbaston nurseries.
Birmingham Edgbaston is one of ten areas where £4,500 bonus goes live for nursery teachers –expanding to 30 this year:
Supports local nurseries to recruit teachers and unlock childcare worth up to £8,000 for families
Targets communities where children are least likely to be school ready or lacking teachers
Read more here: Preet Kaur Gill MP welcomes launch of £4,500 bonus to attract graduate teachers to Birmingham Edgbaston nurseries
Grant Opportunity - Historic England
Historic England's History in the Making grants have been announced. The grant enables underrepresented young people (aged 13-25) to discover, engage, and connect with their local stories and ensure the history that matters to them is not forgotten. Using different art forms, from artworks and murals to immersive walking trails and theatre productions, young people decide who and what to celebrate and how best to do it.
Organisations can apply for up to £15,000 for projects running up to 18 months.
Your story - Youth Summit 2026
The West Midlands Combined Authority has opened registration for the "Your Story - Youth Summit 2026". If you're aged 16–25 and living in the West Midlands, this is your chance to connect with other ambitious young people, explore creative career opportunities, and help shape the future of the region.
'Your Story - Youth Summit 2026' is on Wednesday 8 July in Birmingham with an evening packed with inspiration, creativity and opportunities to make your voice heard.
Whether you're interested in content creation, podcasting, music, marketing, design, events, or simply exploring what's next, there's something for everyone.
🎤 Hear from award-winning creatives
🎙️ Get hands-on with Digital Storytelling and Podcast workshops
🤝 Meet other young people from across the region
💡 Share your ideas and help influence future creative opportunities
This is your chance to have your say, discover new possibilities, and connect with people who could help shape your next chapter.
📅 Wednesday 8 July 2026
🕔 5pm–9pm
📍 The studio..., Birmingham
Dementia Cafe - Birmingham Settlement
Birmingham Age UK run monthly Dementia cafes for those living with Dementia or anyone worried about their memory as well as their family and carers.
When: 11am - 13:20pm on the third Thursday of every month
Where: Birmingham Settlement, 79 Selwyn Road, Birmingham B16 0SL
The next one will be on Thursday 18th June - for more information email: dementia.cafes@ageukbirmingham.org.uk
Surgeries
This month I held my advice surgeries across the constituency, I want to thank everyone who came to speak with me and for raising issues that matter to them. My next surgeries will be held in July.
In the meantime if you have any issues, please reach out on 0121 392 8426 or email preet.gill.mp@parliament.uk
For more information about my advice surgeries visit: Advice Surgeries | Preet Kaur Gill
In the media
This week, I was pleased to share some important Government announcements in the media relating to my Ministerial role in the Department of Health and Social Care.
Op-ed on rollout of AI support for lung cancer
Earlier this week I wrote an op-ed for The Journal about the Government's £20 million investment to make AI-supported chest X-ray technology in every NHS trust in England by 20219. This investment means we can give NHS staff more support and ensure that more people can receive a diagnosis earlier.
Read my full article below.
Building confidence in how we use AI
New research shows that people are far more open to artificial intelligence when it is clearly linked to improving NHS services — whether that’s faster diagnosis, shorter waiting times or less bureaucracy.
That's exactly where our focus should be. AI must be about practical improvements in people’s everyday experience of healthcare, not abstract ideas about technology.
Read more here: Half a million NHS staff to be given new AI tools to free up time for patients - The Pharmacist
Freeing clinicians to focus on patient care
I also welcomed the launch of the MHRA’s new AI sandbox — giving innovators a safe space to test cutting-edge tools that could transform how we develop medicines.
This is about making sure new treatments are not only developed faster, but safer and more effective, while reducing reliance on animal testing.
Read the full article here: MHRA launches AI sandbox to accelerate medicines development and improve safety | BIA
Building a NHS fit for the future
All of this work feeds into a bigger ambition: making our NHS fit for the future.
By embracing technology in a careful and responsible way, we can reduce pressure on staff, improve productivity, and ultimately deliver better care for patients. Millions of hours of staff time could be freed up each year through smarter systems and tools.
Read more here: NHS says Microsoft Copilot rollout could save ‘millions of hours’ a month – PublicTechnology
Mobile Household Waste Centre dates and locations
Birmingham City Council arranges Mobile Household Waste Centres across the city.
Quinton | ||
Date | Location | Time |
24 July 2026 | Quinton Park car park, Highfield Lane, B32 1QX | 7:30am to 12:30pm |
Bartley Green | ||
Date | Location | Time |
21 July 2026 | Woodgate Valley Park car park, Clapgate Lane, B32 3DS | 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.
Bartley Green
Bike register event
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Sun 28 June 2026
Woodgate Valley Car Park, Bartley Green
Cuppa with a Coppa
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Wed 08 July 2026
St Francis Centre, Glen Side, Bartley Green, Birmingham.
Edgbaston
PACT Meeting
6:00PM - 8:00PM, Wed 24 June 2026
Location to be confirmed
Quinton
Pact Meeting
6:00PM - 8:00PM, Tue 30 June 2026
Quinborne Community Centre, 80 Ridgacre Rd, Quinton, Birmingham
Drop in Surgery
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Tue 14 July 2026
Quinton Library, Ridgacre Road, Birmingham, B32 2TW
Drop in Surgery
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Tue 11 August 2026
Quinton Library, Ridgacre Road, Birmingham, B32 2TW
Find more information here: Birmingham | West Midlands Police
Here’s eight things the Government delivered in England last week you may have missed:
The Government is...
📱 Telling tech firms: block explicit images on children’s phones, or the government will act
🧠 Expanding mental health support in schools, with nearly six million children and young people now able to get help in their school or college
📚 Tackling avoidable school absence, giving schools new tools to spot patterns, strengthen attendance and keep children learning in the classroom
🐕 Strengthening protections around banned dog breeds, stopping children under 12 being left alone with dangerous dogs such as XL bullies
🩻 Rolling out £20 million of AI-powered chest X-ray technology across every NHS trust in England by 2029, helping patients get faster diagnoses
🚜 Backing family farms with £290 million for simpler, fairer farming schemes, cutting red tape and supporting soil health, clean waterways and wildlife
🌧️ Investing £50 million to protect Somerset homes, farms and businesses from flooding, helping communities withstand extreme weather and protect rural livelihoods
🐄 Driving a new science-led plan to tackle bovine TB, protecting farmers’ livelihoods and working towards TB-free status in England by 2038
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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