Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 20th March 2026
- 5 hours ago
- 9 min read
This Week the Government Announced...
Over £50 million to support families struggling with soaring oil costs
This week, the Government announced a £53 million investment to support families struggling with soaring oil costs caused by the outbreak of war in Iran. The Government intends to regulate heating oil sector to introduce new consumer protections, alongside securing agreement with industry to quickly improve customer experiences.
With winter drawing to a close, and families struggling with the rising price of heating oils, this government is committed to helping ensure that vulnerable families are able to heat their homes and access hot water.
Read more here: Over £50 million to help families struggling with soaring heating oil costs - GOV.UK
Employment drive to help unlock 200,000 new jobs and apprenticeships for next generation
On Moday the Government announced its new Youth Guarantee. For too long our young people have had limited opportunities and been written off for a life on benefits. It’s an injustice for them and harms our local economy.
It's time to give young people in Birmingham the opportunity to build their future. Under the previous Government, the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) rose by 250,000. Today, nearly a million young people are NEET including there's a high level of NEET in parts of the Edgbaston constituency. That's why backing young people is one of the most important investments we can make in this country's future.
The Government's Youth Guarantee will...
✅ Support 60,000 young people over 3 years
✅Give businesses up to £3,000 for every young person they hire aged 18-24 on Universal Credit and looking for work for six months
✅Expand the Jobs Guarantee from 18-21 to 18-24, creating more than 35,000 extra subsidised jobs
✅Introduce new Apprenticeship inventive - giving SMEs in England £2,000 if they take on a new employee aged 16-24
We're getting young people into work, supporting their futures and our local economies.
Read more here: Major employment drive to help unlock 200,000 new jobs and apprenticeships for next generation - GOV.UK
£830 million invested in flooding protection
Tens of thousands of homes and businesses will benefit from improved protection from flooding, following a £830 million funding injection for flood schemes for 2026/27.
£300 million will be spent managing, maintaining and repairing Environment Agency assets, including those damaged by Storms Goretti and Chandra. Over 600 schemes will receive funding right across England, which will mean better protection for 29,000 homes and businesses.
The funding is part of the largest flood resilience programme in England’s history, with £10.5 billion being invested between 2024 and 2036 to protect homes, businesses and critical infrastructure better. Since 2024, the government has immediately prioritised repairs and maintenance as well as better protecting 24,000 properties in its first year.
Floods devastate live and livelihoods. This government has stabilised the condition of our flood assets, arresting the decline and mismanagement which put communities at greater risk.
By investing in better flooding protections this Government is helping the economy grow by creating thousands of jobs, protecting against billions of pounds of economic damage and unlocking the building of new homes and businesses
Local Media strategy launched
This week, the Government launched the first Local Media Strategy in a generation, backing trusted local journalism and recognising the essential role local news plays in communities across the UK.
The Strategy includes up to £12 million in new funding through a multi-year Local News Fund to support local news outlets in print, online, radio and TV as they transition to sustainable digital business models.
The plan will support community radio, encourage innovation in local media, and tackle the growing risk of ‘news deserts’, where communities have little or no dedicated local news coverage.
It will also help inspire the next generation of journalists, promoting initiatives like ‘Newspapers for Schools’ and connecting young people with opportunities to pursue careers in local media.
The Strategy forms part of the government’s wider work to strengthen communities, improve democratic accountability and protect what matters.
Read more here: Future of news is local, says Culture Secretary, as she launches the first action plan to back local news in a generation - GOV.UK
Nuclear Regulatory taskforce response
This week the Government published its response to the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce chaired by John Fingleton known as the Fingleton Review. The response lays out how the Government will speed up the building of nuclear infrastructure in a way that reduces costs and delivers better outcomes for nature.
As a result of the reforms laid out, nuclear projects will be built faster and cheaper, boosting national energy security and protecting households from volatile global fossil fuel markets as part of a long-overdue overhaul of nuclear regulation.
The Fingleton Review found that an “overly complex” and “bureaucratic” system was favouring process over safe outcomes and holding back the industry. The Government is delivering reforms in a way that produces a win-win for building critical infrastructure while protecting nature and the environment.
This Government is delivering a golden age of nuclear - greenlighting Sizewell C on the Suffolk coast which will support 17,000 jobs nationwide at peak construction, progressing Hinkley Point C in Somerset, backing the UK’s first small modular reactors at Wylfa in North Wales, and paving the way for further projects across the country with international partners.
Meningitis outbreak
The current outbreak of meningitis is deeply concerning and my sympathies go out to the families of the two young women who’ve lost their lives.
The Health Secretary is working closely with the NHS and the UK Health Security Agency so antibiotics are offered to those who need them, while vaccines are made available to students in halls of residence at the University of Kent.
But as a number of cases have been reported outside Kent, it’s vital people are aware of the symptoms so they seek urgent help if they need it.
Read more about symptoms here: Meningitis - Symptoms - NHS
Chancellor's plan for economic growth
This week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves spoke at Bayes Business School to set out her plans for Britain’s economy. She outlined the Government's plans to move the model for growth from concentrated in a small number of areas to one that unlocks opportunity across every part of the country.
The Government plans to back Britain’s cities and towns by improving transport links, expanding housing, and investing in skills to support long‑term regional growth.
Reeves also highlighted the strategic importance of deeper UK–EU cooperation in an uncertain global environment. To deliver economic security and stability for businesses, the Government will be prepared to align with EU rules where this meets the UK’s National Interest Principles, specifically when it supports long‑term growth, benefits consumers and creates jobs; when it ensures stable and compatible policy goals; and when it strengthens the UK’s security and resilience.
Watch the full speech above.
Local News
University of Birmingham Academics
This week, University of Birmingham academics Aleksandra Monka and Dr Enrico Amico were finalists in the STEM for Britain event at the Houses of Parliament. STEM for Britain held its annual poster competition for early career researchers in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics.
Dr Amico, Associate Professor recognised for his research on brain fingerprints of strokes, while Aleksandra, a PHD Researcher was selected for her work on the spread of respiratory particles in indoor spaces.
Congratulations to Enrico and Aleksandra for their hard work.
To read more about Enrico's work visit: [Advanced Models in COnnectomics ] – Research Lab on Network Neuroscience
New Speed bumps
I'm delighted that after successfully campaigning, Birmingham City Council have installed speed bumps along Wadhurst Road, Bernard Road and The Ridgeway.
It’s great to see the new speed bumps in North Edgbaston now in place, helping to reduce speeding and make our streets safer.
Early adopters programme
A new Youth Futures Hub is coming to Birmingham, it is a youth-designed space created for young people and the Local youth transformation programme, funded by the department for Culture, Media and Sport. The initiative will improve youth offer and provide opportunities for young people to get support, be creative and have opportunities.
Young people can expect:
A safe, welcoming place where they feel a sense of belonging.
Support for mental health and wellbeing
Access to youth workers and specialist services
Help with careers, skills, and volunteering
Space for youth‑led creativity and co‑design
A fully functioning temporary Hub will open inside the Library of Birmingham, giving young people early access to support and connecting closely with the DWP Youth Hub.
The hub will open at the Library of Birmingham in April 2026.
HAF programme
As the Easter holidays approach, it’s a good time to start planning activities for your children. The HAF programme is open to families with children and young people aged 4–16 who are eligible for benefits‑related free school meals during the spring, summer and winter holidays.
If you're eligible you can sign up here: About Us - Bring it on Brum!
New Parliament Teacher training
The UK Parliament Education team are offering a fully funded 3-day residents "Teacher Ambassador Programme" in Westminster. It is designed for teachers to gain in-depth knowledge of parliament, explore the Palace of Westminster and meet with officials.
Applications for this year's programme taking place from 22nd-24th June 2026, are open now and close on Sunday 29th March.
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.
Quinton polling station change
The polling station for some voters in the Quinton Ward will change for the local elections in 2026. Voters who previously cast their ballot at Four Dwellings Forum will now vote at Four Dwellings Primary Academy on 7th May 2026.
For more information on elections visit: Elections and voting | Birmingham City Council
Surgeries
My Advice surgeries for March have now concluded, my next surgeries will be on Thursday 9th April. Thank you for everyone who attended, and keep an eye out for details of my next surgeries on my social media and website.
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.
Bartley Green | ||
8 April 2026 | Woodgate Valley Park car park, Clapgate Lane, B32 3DS | 7:30am to 12:30pm |
Quinton | ||
30 April 2026 | Quinton Park car park, Highfield Lane, B32 1QX | 7:30am to 12:30pm |
To find the next pick-ups near you, please
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
Drop-in Session - Holloway Hall
10:00AM - 11:00AM, Mon 30 March 2026
Holloway Hall, Holloway, Birmingham
Drop-in Session - St Francis Community Church
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Wed 08 April 2026
St Francis Community Centre, Glenside, Bartley Green
Find more information here: Birmingham | West Midlands Police
My WhatsApp channel
I’m excited to share I’ve launched a 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
Here’s nine things the Government has delivered in England this week:
🏡 The Government is cutting water bills for hundreds of thousands of households, delivering the biggest WaterSure overhaul in nearly 30 years
⛽ Drivers’ pockets are being protected after Labour froze fuel duty
🏗️ The Government is fast-tracking homes, transport and clean energy projects, investing £100 million to speed up planning approvals
🏭 British battery start-ups can now scale up next-generation EV technology at a new world-class testing facility backed by Labour in Coventry
🔌 The Government is speeding up power connections for major growth projects, prioritising industry and AI data centres
📖 The Government is launching a new tool for schools and families to tackle the stigma of child poverty
🛡️ People smugglers face tougher laws, with Labour banning the online promotion of illegal migration and fake travel documents
🤝 The Government is strengthening communities and tackling extremism through a new national action plan
⚡ Britain is working with allies to stabilise oil markets, with the Government backing coordinated oil releases to protect households from price shocks
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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