Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 27 February 2026
- Feb 26
- 10 min read
Updated: Feb 28
This Week the Government Announced...
Major SEND reforms announced
Thousands of children with SEND set to benefit from groundbreaking new legal entitlements to an individual support plan under new plans announced by the government this week.
I’ve met too many parents exhausted by the SEND system not because they’re asking for more, but because they’re asking for what their child is entitled to.
That isn’t good enough.
New reforms from this Labour Government will give every child with SEND a legal Individual Support Plan, strengthen EHCPs, and invest billions into inclusive schools and specialist support. No child will lose existing provision.
We are rebuilding a system that works for families not against them.
The Government have shared the white paper with proposed reform for SEND, you can read it here: Every child achieving and thriving - GOV.UK
Please feed into the consultation, the Government is taking feedback until 18th May 2026, visit: SEND reform: putting children and young people first - GOV.UK
Read more about the proposed reforms here: Specialist SEND support in every school and community - GOV.UK
Household Bills down
Households across Britain will benefit from cheaper energy bills this spring, thanks to actions taken by the government –putting money in working people’s pockets is a major step forward in tackling the cost of living.
Ofgem has confirmed the price cap will fall by 7% (117)from 1 April, driven by the government’s action to remove an average of £150 of costs off bills.
On top of the Budget’s removal of an average £150 of costs off bills, this winter around six million households will have received the £150 Warm Home Discount, following its expansion last year to all eligible households on means-tested benefits.
Read more here: Energy bills coming down thanks to government action, as Prime Minister vows to bear down on cost of living - GOV.UK
Justice reforms announced to tackle courts backlog
This week, the Government brought a new bill in Parliament to deliver on its Plan for Change to repair the justice system after years of neglect.
The main changes include:
Scrapping the cap on sitting days for judges - judges can sit an unlimited number of days, hearing more cases.
Ending the postcode lottery for listing - For the first time ever how cases are listed will move to a national model with every judge and every court abiding by the same set of rules and guidelines.
Speeding up justice for emergency workers - increasing the use of Blitz Courts to hear similar cases closer together and more quickly, assaults on emergency workers will be first
Improving data sharing - working with transport authorities to get the basics right.
Increasing use of technology - using AI to improve efficiency and transparency
Case coordinators in every court - to move cases forward and make sure they run smoothly, sorting out problems which would otherwise take up judges’ time.
Only sensible and pragmatic reform, alongside record investment and efficiencies can reduce the time victims wait for justice, spare victims from languishing in the courts and free up 27,000 court hearing days so judges can hear more cases – delivering faster, fairer justice for victims
Read more here: Landmark bill to deliver swifter justice for victims - GOV.UK
New powers to keep children safe online
Technology is moving fast. The law must keep up.
The Prime Minister has announced new powers so we can act within months not years to protect children online.
Closing loopholes in the Online Safety Act
Forcing AI chatbots to follow illegal content laws
Consulting on minimum social media age limits
Looking at restrictions on harmful features like infinite scrolling
Tackling non-consensual intimate images
No platform gets a free pass.
As a former children’s services manager, I know how damaging harmful content can be. Our children’s safety must always come first.
Read more here: PM: “No platform gets a free pass”: Government takes action to keep children safe online
Puberty Blockers
Last year in Parliament I raised concerns that credible safeguarding concerns from clinicians and academics about the puberty blocker trials for young people weren't being listened to. Earlier this week, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) intervened questioning the lower age limit and asked for it to rise from 10 to 14, the trial has now been paused. I will meet with Health Secretary, Wes Streeting along with clinicians who have raised concerns and felt their voices were not being heard.
Read more here: Politics Home | Labour MPs Opposed To Puberty Blockers Trial Push To Stop It Altogether
Watch my question in Parliament above.
End of two-Child limit soon to be law
On Monday, the two-child limit cap removal reached its third reading in Parliament - meaning it is one step closer to becoming law.
I'm proud to have voted in favour of the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill. 4,030 children in Birmingham Edgbaston will benefit when this becomes law. A major step toward lifting 450,000 children out of poverty.
Read more here: End of two child limit moving closer to becoming law this week- Preet Kaur Gill
£345 million announced by Environment Secretary
This week, Environment Secretary, Emma Reynolds announced £345 million at the NFU farming resilience conference.
She announced:
£70 million for the Farming Innovation Programme to support practical research and development, including £30 million for the Government’s ADOPT programme (A grant scheme for farm experiments and trials to address farming challenges across the UK)
£50 million for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) to help farmers adopt new technology, cut emissions and boost productivity.
Under the previous Government, farming schemes were underspent, meaning millions of pounds was not going to farming businesses.
This week, the Environment Secretary set out clearer, more predictable schemes and funding that farmers can plan around – with the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), grants and capital support shaped directly by farmer feedback.
Read more here: NFU26: how we’re building farming resilience – The Farming Blog
Industry and Exports Bill reaches committee stage
Through our Modern Industrial Strategy, this Government is investing to create good jobs, get wages rising, and kickstart economic growth across our country.
To do this, the Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill which reached the committee stage this week, ensures the Government has the flexibility to make the investments to underpin growth and prosperity.
This Bill supports British businesses to export by raising the UK Export Finance commitment limit. This will make businesses more productive, increasing their profitability, and creating good jobs with rising wages across the country.
Four Years since the start of the Ukraine War
This Tuesday marked the fourth year since Russia invaded Ukraine. We are clear eyed about the threat from Putin's aggression in Ukraine. Under Keir Starmer our commitment to NATO is unwavering.
The Prime Minister announced the Government would be increasing support for the war with:
£20 million of new funding for emergency energy support to protect and repair the energy grid and provide additional generation capacity.
£5.7 million to provide humanitarian assistance to frontline communities.
Medical mentoring - Highly skilled teams of British military surgeons, nurses and physiotherapists are mentoring Ukrainian clinicians in Ukraine.
Helicopter training - Ukrainian pilots are now training at a UK air base to become helicopter flying instructors, the first time Britain has offered rotary-wing instructor training to Ukraine.
Read more here: UK steps up support for Ukraine four years on from Putin's full-scale invasion - GOV.UK
Local News
Appearance on LBC panel- 24th February 2026
On Wednesday I joined Iain Dale on LBC for cross questions. We discussed a range of issues, including Justice reforms, Defence, Ai development, US-UK Trade deal, and what item I couldn't live without!
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/MbXrZq1kHMc
Early Years Screentime Roundtable – Friday 27th February
On Friday I visited Edgbaston Family Hub to discuss the Government's under 5s screen guidance and ways in which families and professionals can feed in.
Here is the guidance: Early Years Screen Time and Usage. Please also feel free to contact me to share your views.
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.
Meeting with Inspector Paul Hatton
This week, I met with Inspector Paul Hatton for Edgbaston for our monthly catch up.
We discussed police priorities, residents concerns and the neighbourhood model.
Don't forget to attend a Drop-in or a Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting, they are an opportunity to speak directly with local police to discuss any issues in your area, see the next sessions below.
Bartley Green
Drop-in Session, St Francis Community Church, Wednesday 4th March 2026, 10:30am-11:30am, St Francis Centre, Glenside, Bartley Green
Drop-in Session, Milebrook Hall, Thursday 12th March 2026, 10am-11am, Milebrook Hall, 143-151 Field Lane, Birmingham
Drop-in Session - HOLLOWAY HALL, Monday 30th March 2026, Holloway Hall, Holloway Hall, Birmingham
Quinton
PC Drop-in Session Quinton Library, Tuesday 10th March 2026, 10:30am11:30am, Quinton Library
Harborne
PACT meeting, Wednesday 18th March, 7pm-9pm, St Peter's Church Hall, Church Road
For more information on police ward meetings visit: Your area | West Midlands Police
Following my campaigning I have also secured two neighbourhood officers per Birmingham Ward, read more here: Major Neighbourhood Policing Boost for Birmingham as MPs secure extra resources
Hagley Road Corridor Steering Board meeting
On Wednesday, I chaired the meeting of the Hagley Road Corridor Steering Board.
We discussed delivering Phase 1 of the programme, which was consulted on at the end of last year, this will address crossing from after 54 Hagley Road where metro stops.
As Chair of the Hagley Road Steering Group, I m looking at ways to get delivery of phase 2 - rapid transit from the Metro through to Toby Carvery, Quinton.
Read more here: Call for progress on Hagley Road Metro Scheme
Pothole fixed on Worlds End Lane
I raised the issue of potholes outside World's End Lane School in Quinton, with Birmingham City Council and this has now been repaired. Thank you to everyone who raised this issue with me. Please continue to contact me with any concerns relating to potholes, and I will refer to the council to be repaired.
Surgeries
My Advice surgeries for March start next week. I'll be holding surgeries 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 you 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 | ||
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 |
Singapore Life Science Trade Accelerator open for applications
Earlier this week, the British Chambers of Commerce in partnership with NatWest launched the Singapore Life Sciences Trade Accelerator.
The ambition behind this Trade Accelerator is to connect up to 30 UK businesses in the life sciences sector to their Singaporean equivalents and possible export opportunities. The businesses who are chosen for the Accelerator will be offered bespoke market insight and on-the-ground support to make export deals, including:
Targeted export bootcamps and investor-readiness training
Regulatory and compliance preparation
Direct mentoring from commercial and financial partners
A high-impact Singapore trade mission
Buyer, investor, and government matchmaking
Structured post-mission deal conversion support.
If you run a business and think you would be a good candidate for the programme, please apply to join via this link.
Read more here: BCC-Trade-Accelerator-Final-Final-compressed.pdf
Radio Teleswitch (RTS) Phase-out
Stage 3 of the Radio Teleswitch (RTS) phase-out is scheduled to begin from 2 March 2026 in England. This will impact residents who have yet to replace their RTS meter. If you're concerned about the switch or need further information please visit: The Radio Teleswitch Service switch-off: What you need to know - Energy UK or contact your electricity supplier.
Temporarily taken out Post-boxes in Bartley Green
Two Royal Mail post-boxes have been temporarily taken out at:
Wisley Way Opposite Capern Grove, B32 2JU
Jiggins Lane / Modbury Avenue, B32 3ER
The post-boxes have been removed as part of a planned rollout of 3.500 new post-boxes. The new boxes will be fitted in the same locations, as quickly as possible, but it may take up to eight weeks.
Information on alternative ways to send post can be found here: https://www.royalmail.com/services-near-you
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
Here’s seven things the Government delivered in England last week:
🛑 Putting social media companies on notice to take down any non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours with new laws to protect women and girls
📉 Thanks to the Government's work to stabilise the economy, inflation has fallen to its lowest rate in a year, with lower food and petrol prices easing pressure on household budgets.
💷 New support for adults with disabilities means over 150,000 will get at least £400 back in their pockets to help with the cost of living as part of the largest above-inflation increase to the Minimum Income Guarantee in over a decade
🚁 The Government is cracking down on waste crime with a 33-strong drone squad and strengthened Joint Unit for Waste Crime to shut down illegal dumps and dismantle organised criminal networks
🌳 The new 10-year plan will improve England’s woodlands by supporting land managers with grants and streamlined licensing to boost tree survival, timber production and wildlife recovery
🔆 Community energy is receiving up to £1 billion of investment, helping cut bills, reduce emissions and strengthen vital local spaces.
🌍 The UK has deepened climate cooperation with California through a new memorandum of understanding, accelerating innovation and investment to tackle climate change and protect communities from rising costs and extreme weather.
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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