Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 20 February 2026
- Feb 19
- 9 min read
Updated: Feb 20
This Week the Government Announced...
Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Munich Security Conference
Last weekend, Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended the Munich Security Conference, sharing a message of unity with Europe and the goal of lasting peace for the region.
In a world where the solidity of peace can no longer be taken for granted, the prime minister is showing steady, strategic leadership that keeps our country safe and restores Britain’s voice in Europe and beyond. He is right Security is shared and responsibility must be too.
Read more here: Starmer stresses ‘urgency’ of closer defence ties with Europe at Munich conference | Keir Starmer | The Guardian
Watch Keir Starmer's speech above.
See the PM's full speech here: PM speech during the Munich Security Conference: 14 February - GOV.UK
Watch Keir Starmer's speech above.
Taking action on Tech Firms
Through an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, the Government will require tech firms to remove non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours of them being flagged, with heavy penalties (including fines up to 10% of global revenue or having their service blocked in the UK) for non-compliance. Platforms will be required to proactively detect and remove abusive intimate images, treating this content with the same seriousness as child sexual abuse and terrorist material. Victims will only need to report an image once, after which it will be removed across multiple platforms and automatically blocked from being re-uploaded in future. Ofcom is also considering measures to digitally mark such images so they are automatically detected and removed whenever they reappear online.
The Government has also launched the ''You Won’t Know until You Ask’ campaign, which offers practical guidance on safety settings, conversation prompts parents can use with their children, and age‑appropriate advice on dealing with harmful content, including misogynistic material and ragebait.
Read more about the proposed plans here: PM: “No platform gets a free pass”: Government takes action to keep children safe online - GOV.UK
£400 cash boost for adults with disabilities
This week the Government announced it would be providing a £400 cash boost each year to 150,000 working-age disabled adults to help with the cost of living.
£700 million will also been given to support tens of thousands of home adaptations so disabled people can live safely and independently.
Read more here: £400 cash boost for disabled adults to tackle cost of living - GOV.UK
Major reform to independent special school sector reform
As someone who has worked in children’s services, I have seen first-hand how broken the SEND system has become families fighting for support, councils pushed to the brink, and too much public money leaking into private profit instead of frontline provision.
Today the Government has announced major reform of the independent special school sector:
✅ New national price bands to stop unjustified fee inflation
✅ Statutory SEND-specific standards to guarantee quality
✅ Full cost transparency on how public money is spent
✅ A formal role for councils in approving new provision
Independent special schools currently charge an average of £63,000 per child more than double the £26,000 cost in the state sector with no evidence of better outcomes. Over 30% are backed by private equity.
That is not sustainable. And it’s not fair on families.
This reform is about two things:
- Ending the postcode lottery
- Reinvesting funding where it makes the biggest difference to children’s life chances
We know that with the right support, many children with SEND achieve stronger outcomes in mainstream schools around half a GCSE grade higher in English and maths compared to comparable pupils in special schools. That can be the difference between a pass and a fail.
Alongside £3.7bn to create 60,000 specialist places in mainstream schools and £200m to train teachers and TAs, this is about building a system where inclusion and high standards go hand in hand.
Read more here: Government ends runaway independent special school fees - GOV.UK
Inflation falls to its lowest in 10 months
Britain’s economic recovery is taking shape and that matters for working people.
Here’s what’s changed:
✅ Inflation is down -meaning prices are rising more slowly, easing pressure on household budgets.
✅ Interest rates are down lowering mortgage costs and supporting businesses to invest.
✅ Government borrowing is down, strengthening the public finances and restoring stability.
✅ Retail sales are up a sign that consumer confidence is returning.
✅ The UK is the fastest growing economy in the European G7 outperforming major competitors like Germany, France and Italy.
Economic stability means lower costs, greater security, and the foundations for sustained growth.
After years of instability, Labour is restoring confidence, backing working people, and rebuilding Britain’s economic strength.
That’s what responsible economic leadership deliver
Read more here: UK inflation falls to 3%, boosting hopes of early cut in interest rates | Inflation | The Guardian
Start of Lent - Shrove Tuesday & Ash Wednesday
This week marked the start of lent, an important date in the Christian calendar, a time of reflection, renewal and strengthened community in the 40 days before Easter.
I'd like to wish everyone celebrating a joyful Shrove Tuesday and peaceful Ash Wednesday.
Happy Lunar New Year
To all those who celebrated Lunar New Year this week, I’d like to wish you a happy and prosperous Year of the Horse.
The Year of the Horse symbolises forward movement, independence, and endurance, qualities that can guide our values and support us throughout the year.
Ramadan Mubarak
Ramadan began this week and I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone observing a peaceful and blessed month. A time of reflection, generosity and faith. it’s always inspiring to see communities across Birmingham Edgbaston come together in support and solidarity.
Local News
Exempt Accommodation - Birmingham Live
When Exempt Accommodation works it can truly help people to rebuild their lives. In Birmingham the system is broken.
Our communities deserve to feel safe, and taxpayers deserve to know that their money is protecting people, not enriching those who exploit them.
Special thanks to Nick Hall, who campaigned on this issue, and Birmingham Live Reporter, Jane Haynes for keeping this issue in the public's eye, including in her recent article here: Massive blow as Government axe funding for Birmingham crackdown on rogue 'exempt' providers - Birmingham Live
Last week I spoke in Westminster Hall about the problem within my constituency, and how we must look at reforming the system for good. Watch my full speech above.
Meeting on Potholes on Rotton Park Road
This week I joined Councillor Marcus Bernasconi to meet with Kier Highways who manage roads for Birmingham City Council about the delay in fixing potholes on Rotton park road.
We discussed road closures and plan to get a date to fix them as a matter of priority. We will update residents shortly on confirmed dates of when the work will start.
Early Years Screentime Roundtable – Friday 27th February
I’m hosting a Roundtable at Edgbaston Family Hub on Friday 27th February from 9:30-10:30am, to meet with anyone who would like to contribute to the discussion on what should be included in the new Government guidance for under fives screentime use.
If you'd like to join it will be at Edgbaston Family Hub, 28 Doddington Grove, B32 4EL, please come along or contact preet.gill.mp@parliament.uk for more information.
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.
Applications for Chair of Pride in Place Woodgate and Bartley Green Neighbourhood Board now open
Applications are now open for the Chair of the Community Board for Pride in Place Woodgate and Bartley Green. I am seeking an Independent Chair (voluntary) to establish and lead the new Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board for Woodgate and Bartley Green.
This place‑based initiative focuses on strengthening communities and creating a thriving neighbourhood, with funding decisions shaped by the community itself.
I encourage you to apply or share this opportunity with someone who may be interested, to help ensure we find the best person to lead our board.
Applications are open until Tuesday 24th February, you can apply here: Pride in Place Chair - Woodgate - BCC Careers Careers
£102 Million boost for GP surgeries
Since coming into power, this Government has given £102 Million funding for Edgbaston GP surgeries, including:
Lordswood House Medical Centre
Bartley Green Medical Practice
Quinborne Medical Centre
Ridgacre House Medical Centre
This money will help them deliver more GP appointments and ensure they can provide the services residents need.
Read more here: Government cash boost for GP surgeries in Birmingham, Edgbaston to deliver more GP appointments
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
Surgeries
My Advice surgeries for next month will be on Friday 6th March and Thursday 12th March. It is an opportunity for constituents to meet me and my team to discuss any issues or concerns they have in the area. Full timings and locations for surgeries are listed below.
Surgeries on Friday 6th March 2026
North Edgbaston: 10:30-11:30am: St Germain's Church, City Road, B17 8LE
North Edgbaston: 3:30-4:30pm: City Road Primary School (City Road Entrance), B16 OHL
Quinton: 5.15-6.30pm: Quinborne Centre, Ridgeacre Road, B32 2TW
Harborne: 7:00-8:00pm: Lordswood Girls School, Knightlow Road, B17 8QB
Surgeries Thursday 12th March 2026
Edgbaston: 10:30-11:30am: Edgbaston Community Centre, 40 Woodview Drive, B15 2HU
Bartley Green: 12:00-1:00pm: Newman University, Genners Lane, B32 3NT
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.
Here are the next dates in the constituency:
Bartley Green | ||
28 February 2026 | Woodgate Valley Park car park, Clapgate Lane, B32 3DS | 8:00am to midday |
10 March 2026 | Woodgate Valley Park car park, Clapgate Lane, B32 3DS | 7:30am to 12:30pm |
Quinton | ||
11 March 2026 | Quinton Park car park, Highfield Lane, B32 1QX | 7:30am to 12:30pm |
Hundreds of unemployed young people supported by £5m Youth Trailblazer fund
More than 800 unemployed young people across the West Midlands have already benefitted from a £5m job support fund secured by Mayor Richard Parker under the government’s Get Britain Working initiative.
The West Midlands is one of eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers in England that secured funding to help young people who are not in education, employment or training’ (NEET) get into work.
With the third highest rate of 16-24-year-old NEETS in England, the region’s flagship Youth Trailblazer programme has been focused on breaking down the barriers that prevent young getting into work.
The programme has been such a success that the Mayor has committed a further £5m to continue it for another year.
Read more here: West Midlands to get up to £5m as part of government’s Get Britain Working trailblazer
National Lottery Open Week 2026
The National Lottery is launching its annual campaign National Lottery Open Week from Saturday 7 to Sunday 15 March 2026. Organisations which benefited from National Lottery funding will be holding a special offer for anyone who presents a National Lottery ticket, scratchcard, or proof of online play.
There are a variety of events and activities taking place across the Midlands, if you'd like to take part you can book here: National Lottery Open Week - National Lottery Good Causes
Here’s eight things the Government delivered in England last week:
👷 This National Apprenticeship Week we announced ‘fast track’ apprenticeship reforms to get our young people into the industries of the future - cutting the time it takes to update apprenticeships and develop new courses to meet employers'
needs, and a new university-style clearance system for apprenticeship applications
🏫 Our 10-year plan will rebuild our crumbling school estates for the next generation with schools to be inclusive by design
🛑 As part of our mission to halve knife crime, any child caught carrying a knife will be given a mandatory, targeted intervention to stop them falling into a cycle of reoffending
🔆 The Local Power Plan is the biggest ever public investment in community energy which will cut bills and create revenue for community centres, social clubs and places of worship
💷 Communities will benefit from fairer funding to tackle deprivation and improve public services with an extra £440 million boost for councils most impacted by historic cuts
✅ Our Representation of the People Bill will strengthen democratic integrity through tougher rules on political interference
🌍 Britain is providing an extra half a billion pounds in urgent air defence to Ukraine and will play a central part in NATO’s Arctic security mission
🌊 Communities will benefit from 13 new bathing spots across England
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
A comprehensive update covering security, online safety, SEND reform, and local investment. The action on non-consensual images is especially welcome. Many residents may ask, Is It Illegal To ignore removal requests within 48 hours? Clear enforcement and strong penalties show commitment to protecting children and vulnerable people locally and nationally.