Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 21 August 2026
This week the Government has delivered...
Ending rough sleeping
The Prime Minister this week announced a major new package of support to help end rough sleeping, with a commitment that everyone sleeping rough who needs it will be offered a route off the streets by Christmas.
Under the plans, ÂŁ442 million will be invested across England to provide emergency accommodation and long-term housing support, with ÂŁ14 million allocated to the West Midlands. Areas facing the greatest pressures will receive the largest share of funding, helping people experiencing homelessness access safe accommodation alongside practical support with housing, health and other needs.
As the MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, I welcome this significant investment in tackling homelessness in our communities. No one should have to face the uncertainty and hardship of sleeping on the streets, and I have long supported local organisations working to help those most in need.
Read more here: Rough Sleeping Programme - GOV.UK
West Midlands buses to be taken under public control
The Government and West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker have announced plans to bring bus services across the region under local control, helping to protect vital routes and improve services for passengers.
The move follows concerns over the future of local bus services after National Express's parent company signalled its intention to leave the market. The intervention will safeguard up to 750 bus services a day across Birmingham and the West Midlands, protecting around 4,800 jobs and ensuring that people can continue to rely on buses to get to work, school, medical appointments and other important destinations.
This is great news for commuters across Birmingham Edgbaston , I welcome this decisive action to protect our local bus network. Reliable and affordable public transport is essential for connecting people with opportunities and supporting our local economy. Bringing buses under local control will give the West Midlands Mayor greater oversight of routes, fares and service standards, helping to ensure that services better reflect the needs of the communities they serve. This is an important step towards building a more dependable bus network for passengers across Birmingham and the wider region.
Read more here: Prime Minister supports West Midlands to take public control of local bus network - GOV.UK
Free 24/7 bus travel for disabled people
This week, the Government has announced plans to remove the weekday time restrictions on free bus travel for eligible disabled passholders, making it easier for people to travel when they need to.
Currently, eligible disabled passholders can access free local bus travel from 9:30am to 11pm on weekdays, and at any time on weekends and bank holidays. Under the proposed changes, these time restrictions will be removed, allowing disabled passengers to travel free of charge at any time of day. The measure is expected to come into effect from 1 April 2027 and will bring greater consistency to bus travel support across England.
As the MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, this will support the 13,700 disabled people we have in our constituency. I welcome this change, which will make a real difference to many disabled people who rely on public transport to access work, education, healthcare and other essential services.
Read more here: Free bus travel 24/7 for disabled people as Prime Minister takes further action to ease cost of living - GOV.UK
13 asylum hotels closed
I know many of you have raised concerns about the cost and use of hotels for asylum accommodation. This Government is taking action- 13 more asylum hotels closed.
Fewer than 160 asylum hotels now remain in use across the country, down from 400 at their peak.
All remaining asylum hotels are set to close and be returned to local communities by 2029.
Read more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/13-asylum-hotels-exited-and-returned-to-local-communities
High streets improvements
The Government has set out new plans to give local communities greater control over their high streets, strengthening the powers of local councils and the police to tackle rogue businesses that do little to serve local residents.
Vape shops and betting shops have too often come to dominate our high streets, with local communities having little say over their spread. In Birmingham Edgbaston, we are fortunate to have thriving local centres on Dudley Road and Harborne High Street, which play an important role in supporting local businesses and bringing our communities together.
 The new powers will give councils and residents a stronger voice in shaping their high streets, including greater powers to limit the opening of new betting shops and tighter controls on vape shops. These changes will help ensure our high streets better reflect the needs and priorities of the communities they serve.
I asked in Parliament earlier this year about Bob shops blighting our high streets, watch above.
Read more here: First part of Birmingham to see high street crackdown under Andy Burnham announced - Birmingham Live
New homes closer to train stations
The Government has announced new planning reforms to support the delivery of thousands of homes in areas with strong public transport links, helping more people live close to jobs, schools and local services.
Under the new rules, developments within reasonable walking distance of train, tram and underground stations will benefit from a presumption in favour of housing, subject to meeting planning requirements and design standards. The changes are intended to make better use of underdeveloped land acround transport hubs, speed up the delivery of new homes and attract investment into local communities. The reforms form part of the Government's wider ambition to build 1.5 million homes and ensure that planning decisions make the most of existing transport infrastructure.
Read more here: Full steam ahead to fast-track more homes near stations - GOV.UK
Local News
Congratulations on GCSEs Results day!
Congratulations to all our young people across Birmingham Edgbaston who received their GCSEs results on Thursday.
You have worked so hard for this moment and I hope you are proud of everything you have achieved.
Today is the start of an exciting new chapter. Believe in yourself, take every opportunity and keep aiming high.
First Banking hub opened in Birmingham
After campaigning to protect access to face-to-face banking in Harborne, it was an honour to open Birmingham’s first Banking Hub on Harborne High Street.
The new Hub provides everyday banking services for customers of all major banks, including cash withdrawals and deposits, cheque deposits, bill payments and balance enquiries. Individual banks will also provide face-to-face appointments on dedicated days each week.
This is a significant achievement for Harborne and Birmingham. I promised residents I would fight to protect face-to-face banking, and I am delighted that together we have delivered Birmingham’s first Banking Hub for our high street.
I was pleased this story was featured in Birmingham Post in print, read below.
Read more here:Â Birmingham Edgbaston MP opens first Banking Hub in BirminghamÂ
Birmingham as a leader in Life sciences
Birmingham is set to become a national hub for manufacturing the next generation of medicines. I have long championed our life sciences sector. This Government investment means cutting edge treatments can be manufactured here putting Birmingham at the heart of UK life sciences.
Youth grants available for businesses
£3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for employers available, businesses can get up to £3,000 for recruiting an 18–24-year-old who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for at least six months. The scheme is open to employers of all sizes and sectors.
Read more here: Youth Jobs Grant - GOV-UK Find a grant
Opportunities at Birmingham City University
Birmingham City University (BCU) offers a wide range of opportunities for individuals and organisations looking to develop new skills, access training, or support career progression. From apprenticeships and mentoring programmes to professional development courses and specialist workshops, there are a variety of ways to gain valuable experience and qualifications.
Current opportunities include:
Apprenticeships for Employers - BCU works with more than 400 national and local partners to help businesses attract talent and address skills gaps through apprenticeship programmes.
Speech and Language Therapy Degree Apprenticeships - Supporting organisations in the healthcare sector to develop the next generation of speech and language therapists.
Mentoring Opportunities - A flexible programme for professionals who want to share their expertise and support emerging talent.
Upcoming courses and events include:
RCUK e-Paediatric Immediate Life Support Course - 27 August
Immersive Workshops with CreaTech Frontiers - From 1 September
Songwriting Lab with Sacha Skarbek and Ben Parker - 4 September
To find out more about apprenticeships, training opportunities and upcoming courses, visit: https://www.bcu.ac.uk/business.
Community wins
As your local MP I represent our community and am determined to get things done. Constituents regularly contact me with issues that matter to them, and I work hard to raise these concerns with the organisations responsible and push for action. Here are some recent examples of the positive outcomes secured for local people across the constituency this week.
NHS-funded care support secured for Harborne resident
When a resident contacted me after being refused NHS-funded care, I raised their case with Adult Social Care.
Following my intervention, a referral was made to a social care practitioner and the resident was subsequently provided with Direct Payments support to help meet their care needs.
Action taken on dangerous tree in Bartley Green
When a resident contacted me about a dangerous tree that the council had failed to address, I repeatedly raised the issue with Birmingham City Council and highlighted the potential risk to public safety.
As a result, an urgent inspection was ordered and further action was taken to deal with the tree and make the area safe.
If you have any issues you would like to raise with me please get in touch.
Mental Health centres in Birmingham
Birmingham is getting new investment in mental health services, including a new Mental Health Emergency Department and three Community Mental Health Centres.
I have written to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust to ask where they will be based, when they will open and how they will ensure services are accessible across our city.
Read my letter above.
In the media
Limiting vape and betting shops on our high streets
I welcome the new measures announced by the Government that will give local people and councils greater control over what opens on their high streets.
Time and time again, local people here in Edgbaston have told me how dodgy vape shops and rogue business have blighted our high streets and damaged pride in our community.
I have consistently raised the need to protect and revitalise our high streets, particularly places like Harborne High Street and Dudley Road.
Summer events
We are mid-way through the summer holidays but there's still plenty of fun, family-friendly activities to get involved in. Please see some we have coming up in Birmingham Edgbaston below.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens events:
Gardens Yoga: Saturday Mornings
Every Saturday from 25 July until 12 September, the Garden is offering Yoga from 9-10am.
Garden's Cinema
Four evenings of outdoors screenings in the garden. Films include: Sinners, Pulp Fiction, Jurassic Park
Live on the Bandstand: West Midlands Concert Band
23 August 2026
For more information on events at Botanical Gardens, visit: What's On | Birmingham Botanical GardensÂ
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 ÂŁ20 million Pride in Place investment should be spent.
After years of campaigning I've secured ÂŁ20 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.
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I am 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. Â
Please complete the survey here.Â
Mobile Household Waste Centre dates and locationsÂ
Birmingham City Council arranges Mobile Household Waste Centres across the city. Â
Bartley Green | ||
Date | Location | Time |
7 September 2026 | Woodgate Valley Park car park, Clapgate Lane, B32 3DS | 7:30am to 12:30pm |
Ladywood (Closest to North Edgbaston) | ||
Date | Location | Time |
26 September 2026 | Osler Street, B16 9EU | 8:00am to midday |
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
Cuppa with a Coppa
10:00AM - 11:00AM, Thu 10 September 2026
Milebrook Hall, Field Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham
Edgbaston
PSCO walkabout
10:00AM - 2:00PM, Sat 12 September 2026
Artisan Market, Edgbaston
Harborne
PCSO walkabout
4:00PM - 6:00PM, Sat 29 August 2026
Hagley Road West, Harborne
PCSO walkabout
12:00PM - 2:00PM, Fri 04 September 2026
Hagley Road West, Harborne
Quinton
Drop in Surgery
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Tue 15 September 2026
Quinton Library, Ridgacre Road, Birmingham, B32 2TW
Drop in Surgery
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Tue 13 October 2026
Quinton Library, Ridgacre Road, Birmingham, B32 2TW
Drop in Surgery
5:00PM - 6:00PM, Tue 10 November 2026
Quinton Library, Ridgacre Road, Birmingham, B32 2TW
Find more information here: Birmingham | West Midlands PoliceÂ
Here’s some things from last week you may have missed:
đź’·Ending rip-off discounts and subscription traps
🛑Temporary ban on disposable barbecues
đźš…Half-price rail fares for young people as 16-17 railcard extended
Read last week's newsletter here: Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 14 August 2026
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
Glad to see our Birmingham buses are finally under public control now because travelling in summer heat was awful. Last year during that terrible heatwave, my brother actually bought simple solar glass coverings directly from https://www.tintfit.com/shop/ just to protect his small Harborne high street shop from blinding sun glare and stay cool. Local improvements really matter.