Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 26th June 2026
- Jun 26
- 13 min read
This week the Government has delivered...
Supporting Our High Streets and Making the Tax System Fairer
The Government has announced a package of tax reforms designed to support Britain’s high streets, create fairer competition for local businesses and help deliver more affordable homes.
Many businesses on our high streets have told us they are competing against online retailers selling cheap imported goods at prices that local shops simply cannot match. Some overseas sellers also avoid paying the taxes they owe in the UK, putting honest businesses at a disadvantage.
To help tackle this, the Government is speeding up plans to remove customs duty relief on low-value imports. From October 2028, imported goods worth £135 or less will no longer automatically benefit from this relief, helping ensure that businesses selling into the UK compete on a fairer basis.
The Government is also reviewing how VAT is collected from businesses selling through online marketplaces. The aim is to ensure that all businesses pay the tax they owe, regardless of whether they trade online or on the high street.
Any additional revenue raised will be used to improve the business rates system for the businesses that are at the heart of our communities, including pubs, cafés, restaurants, hotels and local shops.
Alongside these measures, the Government is consulting on changes to VAT rules for land used to build social housing. This would help speed up the delivery of more affordable homes while ensuring taxpayer support is targeted where it is needed most.
Together, these reforms are designed to create a fairer tax system, back local businesses, strengthen our high streets and support economic growth across the country.
Read more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-backs-high-street-with-acceleration-of-cheap-import-reforms-and-crackdown-on-dodgy-online-sellers
Prime Minister
On Monday the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer announced his resignation. Public service comes with immense personal sacrifice, not only for those who serve but their families too. I want to thank Keir Starmer and his family for everything they have given. He has served our country with decency, determination and integrity, always putting Britain first.
Thank you, Keir. History should remember what you have achieved. You inherited a Labour Party on its knees and led it back into government after 14 years in opposition. Winning a landslide and restoring trust in our party was no small achievement!
Great British Summer VAT
This Thursday (25 June) the Government launched 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
A Long-Term Plan to Back British Farming
Farmers play a vital role in putting food on our tables, supporting rural communities and protecting the countryside. That is why the Government has published the Farming Roadmap 2050 a long-term plan to give farmers greater certainty and help the sector thrive for decades to come.
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the roadmap recognises that every farm is different. It sets out a clear direction while giving farmers the flexibility to make decisions that best suit their businesses as markets, technology and the climate continue to change.
The plan is built around three priorities:
Supporting profitable farm businesses –helping farmers increase productivity, invest in new technology, improve skills, access new markets and secure fairer deals across supply chains. The Government will also work with industry to develop growth plans for sectors including horticulture and poultry, while reducing barriers to trade and strengthening opportunities to export.
Protecting the environment while producing food supporting healthier soils, cleaner water and nature recovery alongside food production. Environmental schemes will become more targeted, with long-term support focused on projects that deliver lasting benefits for nature and the environment.
Building resilience for the future – helping farmers adapt to climate change, extreme weather, disease and changing markets. The roadmap includes plans to improve water management, strengthen biosecurity, reduce reliance on costly inputs such as fertilisers through innovation, and simplify government support through a new single digital farming account.
The roadmap has been developed following extensive engagement with farmers and the wider agricultural sector. It reflects calls for a clearer long-term vision, more stable support and practical measures that help farms remain productive, profitable and sustainable.
Alongside the roadmap, the Government has also responded to the independent Farming Profitability Review, with many of its recommendations shaping this long-term strategy.
This is about giving British farmers the confidence to invest, innovate and plan for the future, ensuring we continue to have a strong, resilient farming sector that produces high-quality food, supports rural jobs and protects our natural environment for generations to come.
You can read the full Farming Roadmap 2050 by following the link below.
Making Buying a Home Faster, Fairer and Less Stressful
Buying a home should be an exciting milestone, but for too many people the process is slow, expensive and uncertain. The Government is changing that with a package of reforms to make buying and selling a home quicker, simpler and more secure.
At the heart of the changes is a new requirement for sellers to provide key information about their property upfront through a sales pack. This will include details such as the property’s condition, leasehold costs and whether there is a chain involved, helping buyers make informed decisions and reducing unexpected problems later in the process.
The Government is also introducing earlier binding agreements to reduce the number of sales that collapse after months of negotiations. This will give buyers and sellers greater certainty and help prevent people losing time and money when transactions fall through.
The reforms will modernise the homebuying process by replacing outdated paper-based systems with digital services. Digital property logbooks, electronic signatures, secure identity checks and AI-assisted conveyancing will help reduce delays, improve security and make it easier for buyers and sellers to track progress throughout their move.
Together, these changes are expected to cut the average homebuying process by around four weeks and save first-time buyers around £650 by reducing unnecessary costs and failed transactions.
The Government will also introduce a new Code of Practice for estate agents and consult on mandatory professional qualifications, helping to raise standards across the industry and improve confidence in the homebuying process.
These reforms are designed to create a housing market that is faster, fairer and more transparent, helping more people take their first step onto the property ladder while making moving home less stressful for families across the country.
Read more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/homebuying-shake-up-to-slash-delays-cut-costs-and-stop-sales-falling-through
Securing Britain’s Energy Future with Clean, Homegrown Power
The Government has set a new long-term target to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by around 87% between 2038 and 2042, keeping the country on track to reach net zero by 2050 while strengthening energy security and growing the economy.
Recent global events have shown how vulnerable Britain remains to volatile international fossil fuel markets. By investing in clean, homegrown energy, the Government’s aim is to reduce reliance on imported oil and gas, protect households and businesses from future price shocks, and deliver greater energy independence.
The clean energy transition is already making a significant contribution to the UK economy. Independent analysis shows that the net zero economy now supports more than one million jobs and is expected to contribute £105 billion to the economy this year. Since July 2024, more than £90 billion of private investment has been announced in UK clean energy projects, including carbon capture and new nuclear power.
The Government’s plan focuses on delivering practical benefits for families and businesses. It includes continued investment in renewable energy and nuclear power, the £15 billion Warm Homes Plan to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel bills, and support for technologies such as solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicles. Families installing solar panels could save up to £500 a year, while electric vehicles can save drivers up to £1,400 annually in running costs.
The transition is also expected to improve public health. Cleaner air could lead to around 8,000 fewer hospital admissions every year by 2050, while restoring peatlands and planting new woodland will strengthen biodiversity, improve water quality and reduce flood risk.
The new Carbon Budget provides long-term certainty for businesses and investors, encouraging continued investment in the industries of the future. It is expected to support hundreds of thousands more skilled jobs across sectors including renewable energy, manufacturing, construction and engineering, while helping British businesses remain competitive in the global economy.
The Government will publish a detailed delivery plan after Parliament approves the new Carbon Budget, setting out how these targets will be achieved.
These measures are about building a more secure energy system, protecting families from rising energy costs, creating high-quality jobs, supporting economic growth and ensuring Britain is well placed to meet the challenges of climate change.
Honouring the Windrush generation
Each year on Windrush Day, we honour the remarkable contribution of the Windrush generation and their descendants to our country.
In 1948, passengers aboard the HMT Empire Windrush arrived in Britain, answering the call to help rebuild the nation after the Second World War. Many had served in the armed forces, while others went on to work in our newly established NHS, public transport, manufacturing and countless other sectors that became the backbone of modern Britain.
Their hard work, resilience and determination helped shape the diverse and vibrant society we are proud to call home today. Their contribution can be seen in every part of our national life, from healthcare and education to business, public service, sport, music and culture.
Windrush Day is also a time to reflect on the injustice suffered by members of the Windrush generation who were wrongly denied their rights despite having every legal entitlement to live and work in the UK. The Windrush scandal caused profound hardship for many individuals and families and serves as an important reminder of the need for fairness, justice and accountability.
As we commemorate Windrush Day, we celebrate the extraordinary legacy of the Windrush generation, recognise the lasting contribution they have made to Britain, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring their history is remembered and their achievements continue to inspire future generations.
Read more here: Windrush Day 2026 - House of Commons Library
Mental Health - Westminster Hall debate
Mental health should be treated with the same seriousness, and urgency as physical health.
In Westminster Hall, I responded to Liz Twist’s important debate on parity of esteem between mental and physical health, setting out how this Government is expanding Mental Health Support Teams in schools, increasing the mental health workforce and improving access to support for children and young people.
Watch my speech above.
Local News
Harborne Banking Hub Set to Open Following Years of Local Campaigning
I am delighted that Harborne’s new Banking Hub is due to open shortly after years of campaigning to protect face-to-face banking services for our community.
When Santander, HSBC, NatWest and Barclays closed their branches, many residents contacted me worried about losing access to cash and essential banking services. Older residents, disabled people, carers and local businesses told me that travelling elsewhere for basic banking simply wasn’t a realistic option.
That’s why I made securing a Banking Hub a priority. I campaigned against the closures, surveyed residents, attended protests, wrote to the banks and Government, met directly with Cash Access UK and consistently argued that Harborne should be recognised as a community in need of a permanent banking hub.
Thanks to the strength of local support and sustained campaigning, that case has now been accepted.
The new Banking Hub will provide day-to-day banking services for customers of all major banks, including cash withdrawals and deposits, cheque deposits, bill payments and balance enquiries. Individual banks will also offer face-to-face appointments on dedicated days each week.
This is a real victory for our community. It shows what can be achieved when residents come together and make their voices heard. I promised to fight for face-to-face banking in Harborne, and I am proud that together we have secured this important service for our High Street.
I look forward to seeing the Banking Hub open its doors and serving residents in the coming weeks.
Read more here: https://www.preetkaurgill.co.uk/post/preet-gill-mp-secures-harborne-banking-hub-after-years-of-fighting-bank-closures
Pride in Place event - Thursday 9 July
I campaigned to secure £20 million Government investment for Woodgate and Bartley Green, now it’s your chance to help decide how it’s spent.
Join me and Pete West, Chair of the Neighbourhood Board on Thursday 9 July to discuss how we invest this funding to restore pride in our area.
Event details:
Date: Thursday 9 July 2026
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Newman University, Genners Lane, Bartley Green B32 3NT
Unable to attend? Share your views in my survey here: https://forms.gle/GBG6YJDmCpi7i1or7
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.
Bio-tech conference San Diego
This week I was fortunate to represent the UK at BIO2026 in San Diego as Minister for Health Innovation and Safety. Championing British innovation and making the case that the UK is the best place to discover, develop and invest in life sciences.
It was great to meet UK and US biotech leaders at the UK Pavilion at BIO2026. Hearing directly from businesses about the opportunities ahead reinforces why the UK is one of the best places in the world to invest, innovate and grow. Together we can go even further.
It was a pleasure to meet Governor Tim Walz at BIO2026. Under his leadership Minnesota has built a world leading life sciences and med-tech ecosystem. It was great to discuss collaboration between our two life sciences sectors to grow our economies and improve health outcomes.
Maggie's cancer charity - expansion in Birmingham
I’m delighted to welcome plans for a new Maggie's Centre in my constituency, next to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
For anyone facing cancer, the impact goes far beyond treatment alone. Maggie’s provides free expert support for people with cancer, as well as their families and loved ones, offering practical advice, emotional support and a place to turn during some of life’s most difficult moments.
This is a hugely important development for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. Our region continues to have some of the lowest cancer survival rates in the country, while the number of people receiving a cancer diagnosis is rising. Having a Maggie’s Centre alongside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital will ensure more people can access the support they need, closer to home.
My thanks to the Sir Peter Rigby Charitable Trust, Maggie’s and all those who have worked to make this vision a reality. This new centre will make a real difference to patients and families across our region.
Bonuses for nursery teachers in Birmingham Edgbaston
Every child deserves the best start in life.
I’m pleased Birmingham will benefit from a new Government scheme offering £4,500 incentives to help nurseries recruit and retain qualified teachers.
As a former Children’s Manager, I know how important high-quality early years education is. This investment will help more children be school ready and support families to access funded childcare worth up to £8,000 a year.
Read more here: Preet Kaur Gill MP welcomes launch of £4,500 bonus to attract graduate teachers to Birmingham Edgbaston nurseries
World cup 2026 - Write to the Squad!
With 2026 World Cup fever taking hold across England, Royal Mail is encouraging children and young adults aged 4–18 years of age to send letters of support to the 2026 England World Cup Squad. Letters can be sent, free of charge, to the 2026 England World Cup Squad by writing to World Class Letters, Freepost England.
As part of the campaign, letters submitted from 18 June to 19 July, will be entered into a prize draw, with winning entries securing £1,500 to spend on sports kit for a nominated school or sports club.
Letters should be submitted by a parent, guardian or teacher. Entrants should supply a return address or contact details to be automatically entered into the Prize Draw.
Find out more here: www.royalmail.com/worldclassletters
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 16 July - for more information email: dementia.cafes@ageukbirmingham.org.uk
Join my team
I'm currently recruiting for a Research Officer (London-Based) and a Campaigns Officer (Constituency-based) to join my team, full details can be found here: Job vacancies | Preet Kaur Gill
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
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
Cuppa with a Coppa
10:00AM - 11:00AM, Thu 09 July 2026
Milebrook Hall, Field Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham
Edgbaston
PACT Meeting
6:00PM - 8:00PM, Fri 24 July 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 some things the Government delivered in England last week you may have missed:
📱Announced plan to ban social media platforms from offering services to under-16s
🛑New legislation to strength Britain's ability to tackle hostile activity
🏠Introduced insourcing to bring back vital staff in-house
❤️Remembered legacy of Jo Cox
📈Kept inflation is steady at 2.8%
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
Regular updates from our MP are important for staying informed. As a PhD student who works part-time at Last-Minute Assignments, I remember how I used to skim through these emails in college, trying to stay engaged while buried in my own work. I was so disconnected from local news that I'd search for assignment editing service just to have time to read them properly. It's great to see this level of transparency and communication. Cheers.