Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 27th March 2026
- Mar 25
- 10 min read
Updated: Mar 27
This Week the Government Announced...
Prime Minister on Antisemitic attack
The arson attack in Golders Green targeting ambulances serving the Jewish community is horrifying.
Hate has no place here. I stand with the Jewish community and will always oppose antisemitism.
Watch Keir Starmer speaking to community leaders above.
Chancellor promises targeted support if energy bills rise amid US-Israel war with Iran
These are serious times abroad, and this Government’s leadership is steady, strong, and focused on protecting the British people. That is why the Prime Minister convened a COBRA meeting earlier this week to discuss the impact of this conflict on the cost of living.
Given the current global uncertainty, the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves pledged in Parliament on Tuesday to provide support to those who need it most to support with energy bills.
Here are five things the Government is doing for you during this time:
Capping energy bills by £117
Cutting fuel duty until September
Providing an emergency £53 million fund for vulnerable heating oil customers
Investing in clean energy to make Britain power independent
Working to support international cooperation to end the war in the Middle East
Read more here: Reeves pledges to support 'those who need it most' if energy bills spiral - BBC News
Government to pilot social media bans, time limits and curfews at home
This week, the Government launched pilots, with hundreds of UK families on social media bans, curfews, and app time limits, as part of the digital wellbeing consultation.
These pilots will give the Government the evidence needed to take the next steps, informed by the experiences of families themselves.
As the government consults the public on children's social media use, it is crucial that we test options so we can make evidence based decisions and implement.
New Guidance on screentime use for under 5s
Parents of young children are facing a constant battle with screens. Now, for the first time, the government is stepping in with clear, trusted guidance to help families navigate it.
Following weeks of engagement with over a thousand parents who called for clear support on how much screen time is too much, and how to build healthy habits, the government is delivering on its promise to provide judgement-free, practical support if they need it.
Some will oppose stepping in, but we are clear: if the choice is between standing back or supporting parents to keep children safe, this government will always act.
Currently, parents are left to navigate fast moving technology alone – with a quarter (24%) of parents of 3 to 5 year olds finding it hard to control their child’s screen time, and 98% of two year olds watching screens every day.
This underlines the need for support, which is why we are giving parents the clear, trusted tools they need to cut through uncertainty and conflicting advice online.
The new guidance is available for free on the Best Start in Life website, with key tips including:
Under 2s: Avoiding screen time other than for shared activities that encourage bonding,
interaction and conversation.
2- to 5-year-olds: Trying to keep it to no more than one hour a day. Avoid at mealtimes and
in the hour before bed.
Content: Choosing slow-paced, age-appropriate content. Fast-paced, social media-style
videos and AI toys or tools should be avoided for young children.
Co-viewing: Watching or using screens together - talking, asking questions, and engaging with the content - is better for children's development than solo screen use.
This also forms part of wider action to support all children's wellbeing in the digital world.
The guidance is available here: https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/screen-time-under-5s/
Crackdown on late payments for small businesses
Small businesses will be paid on time – that’s the clear message from government as it cracks down on late payments, with the largest set of reforms in over a generation.
The Small Business Commissioner will be given sweeping new powers to investigate poor payment practices, adjudicate payment disputes, and fine the worst offenders with fines worth tens of millions for firms that persistently pay late or fail to comply with the new laws.
The measures will tackle a problem costing the UK economy £11 billion every year and ease the cost of living for entrepreneurs and SME owners who are often forced to wait months – or even years – to receive money they have already earned and having to chase endlessly to receive it.
Read more here: Time to Pay Up: Government unveils toughest crackdown on late payments in over 25 years - GOV.UK
Solar panels and heat pumps to be fitted as standard on new homes and plug-in solar to be made available in shops
This week, the Government announced that most new homes in England will have solar panels fitted as standard. It also set out plans for plug‑in solar to be made available in shops within months.
The current conflict is yet another reminder that the UK’s route to energy security and sovereignty is to end dependence on fossil fuel markets and accelerate the drive for clean, homegrown power, alongside new renewables and nuclear.
Retailers such as Lidl and Iceland, as well as manufacturers like EcoFlow, are working with the Government to bring plug‑in solar products to the UK market.
Plug‑in solar is already widely used by households across Europe, with Germany seeing around half a million new devices plugged in each year. The free solar power can be used directly through a standard mains socket like any other device, without installation costs—reducing the amount of electricity drawn from the grid and helping to cut energy bills.
Read more here: Government to make 'plug-in solar' available within months - GOV.UK
80 new Youth Hubs announced
Young people are set to benefit from expanded employment support through a further 80 new Youth Hubs as the Government continues to provide opportunity across the country.
As part of this expansion, every Youth Hub will meet a set of minimum standards, ensuring young people can access on-site jobcentre support alongside mental health and housing support, skills and training opportunities, careers guidance and direct connections to employers with live job and apprenticeship opportunities.
Read more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-boost-for-young-people-with-80-new-youth-hubs-as-scottish-premier-league-partners-with-dwp
Rycroft Review
This week, the Government welcomed Philip Rycroft’s report on foreign financial interference in our democracy. The Government is taking immediate steps to implement his recommendations for a cap on donations made by overseas electors and for a moratorium on donations made via crypto currency, which will be implemented through the Representation of the People Bill.
Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment: Call for Evidence
The Government wants a welfare system that supports disabled people to achieve better health, higher living standards and greater independence. As part of this work, the Government launched the Timms Review to ensure Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is fair and fit for the future.
As part of the review, the steering group is asking the public to share their thoughts on PIP. The call for evidence is open to anyone who wishes to contribute.
The deadline to respond is Thursday 28 May, if you'd like to feedback, please visit: Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment: Call for Evidence - GOV.UK
Local News
Two new school based nurseries in Quinton
This week the Government announced it would open 331 new school-based nurseries across England, including Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School and Four Dwellings Primary School in Quinton.
After successfully campaigning, I'm glad these new nurseries will be open in Quinton, providing childcare provisions closer to Quinton residents.
The major national expansion will invest £45 million to build or expand nurseries. This phase alone will deliver over 6,000 new childcare places, on top of the 7,000 already being rolled out.
Read more here: Preet Kaur Gill MP secures new nursery provision in Quinton
£17 million for SEND support in Birmingham
Birmingham has secured £17 million from government to expand specialist provision for children with SEND, helping more pupils attend their local school.
This forms part of a record £860 million investment for councils across England the largest ever single allocation for high needs provision. The funding will create more inclusive school environments and significantly expand Inclusion Bases, embedding specialist support within mainstream settings.
In Birmingham, the focus will be on increasing places in mainstream schools, supporting the Government’s ambition for every secondary school to have an inclusion base.
This is an important step in the once-in-a-generation reform of the SEND system improving support for children and rebuilding parents’ confidence.
Read more here: Birmingham Edgbaston MP champions biggest single funding allocation to deliver more places for children with SEND
Letter to Lismore Drive on exempt accommodation
This week I wrote to residents on Lismore Drive around concerns about supported exempt accommodation property on the road. I contacted the Council's Exempt Accommodation Team to raise the condition and management of the property.
The Council have issued a schedule of works to the provider. In addition, the Managing Agent will install CCTV to help manage antisocial behaviour at the property. These measures will ensure the property is properly managed going forward. Since we've raised this issue with the council, I've already heard from residents who have seen visible improvements around the property.
I recently called a debate on bringing in regulations for councils with exempt accommodation in Westminster Hall, watch above.
Eve Brooks Scholarship
The Eve Brook Scholarship Fund was established in 1998 by Eve Brook to improve opportunities for young people leaving care.
Working closely with Birmingham Children’s Trust, the charity supports care experienced young people in Birmingham to access and succeed in education.
The scholarship provides financial and practical support to help students who have been in care pursue their studies. This year marks a significant milestone, with the fund supporting a student throughout their PhD for the first time.
To learn more about the fund visit: Home - Eve Brook Scholarship Fund
University of Birmingham - working towards healthier future
The University of Birmingham is playing a major role in the Russell Group’s new commitment to build healthier communities by 2030. With more than 2,700 medical and dentistry students, and over 12,500 health‑related students trained across Russell Group universities.
A standout part of this effort is the University’s Movewell Centre. This community‑focused hub offers low‑cost physiotherapy, clinical exercise classes and mental health support, giving local residents practical help to stay active, manage long‑term conditions and recover from illness or injury.
The Russell Group’s wider pledge includes training 181,000 graduates with the right health and life sciences skills, and boosting innovation by helping new spinouts secure around £5 billion in external investment by 2030.
Read more here: https://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/healthier-communities-2030
Birmingham SEND Co-production Training
Birmingham SEND are offering free in-person training sessions across the city throughout 2026. Anyone working within in education, health, social care and the voluntary sector is able to attend.
The sessions cover:
Understanding the SEND Co-production Framework and Charter
Perspectives from young people and parent carers
Benefits of co-production for services and communities
Introduction to the SEND Co-production Award Scheme
If you're interested you can find out the details of how to sign up here:
Free Bike Marking and Registration event in Bartley Green
Bike marking and registration is a proven deterrent against theft and in the unfortunate event of a theft it can drastically increase the chances of recovery.
There is a free bike marking and registration event taking place on Sunday in Bartley Green, if you're interested details are below.
Date: Sun 29 Mar 2026, 10:30 - 11:30
Location: Woodgate Valley Country Park, Clapgate Lane, Birmingham, B32 3DS
For more information, please visit: https://www.bikeregister.com/
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.
Correcting local misinformation on Pride in Place
Recent leaflets distributed in Bartley Green by councillors contain clear misinformation about the Pride in Place programme. In a healthy democracy, facts matter and residents deserve accurate information, not material that misleads.
Let me be absolutely clear that at no point have I, or Birmingham City Council, stated that Woodgate Valley falls within the Pride in Place boundary. Claims that residents have been “duped” are false. Pride in Place is designed so that local people shape decisions, and while funding is targeted, the benefits will extend to surrounding communities, including Woodgate Valley.
It is also wrong to suggest that Pride in Place is the same as the previous Government’s Levelling Up Fund. These are entirely separate programmes. Bartley Green did not receive Levelling Up funding in fact, all five of Birmingham’s bids in 2023 were rejected by the Government.
Pride in Place represents a different approach. This is long-term investment, with £20 million over a decade, and it is not dictated by ministers in London. Decisions will be made locally, by the community, because local people know their area best. This is about shifting power back into the hands of residents.
With that opportunity comes responsibility. Those seeking to represent the community including councillors who may sit on the Neighbourhood Board must understand the programme and communicate it honestly. Spreading misinformation in election material undermines trust and does a disservice to residents.
Bartley Green deserves better than this, it deserves the full benefit of this transformative investment.
No surgery on Friday 3rd April
My next surgery to April will be held on Thursday 9th April, this is due to the bank holiday for Good Friday. Thank you for everyone who attended this month.
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 visit: Mobile Household Waste Centre dates and locations | Mobile Household Waste Centres | Birmingham City Council
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
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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