Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 28 August 2026
Updated: Aug 29
This week the Government has delivered...
VAT cut on electricity bills
The Prime Minister has announced a major cut to household electricity bills, helping families with the cost of living and protecting people from rising energy prices this winter.
From 1 October 2026, VAT will be removed from household electricity bills, saving households an average of ÂŁ45 a year. Combined with the ÂŁ150 in costs already removed from bills earlier this year, this measure will help limit the impact of increases to Ofgem's energy price cap and provide additional support to households across the country.
Around 6 million households are also expected to benefit from the Warm Home Discount this winter, which provides a further ÂŁ150 off electricity bills for eligible households.
I welcome this practical support for families facing continued pressure from the cost of living. Energy costs remain a significant concern for many households, and these measures will help people keep more money in their pockets while ensuring support is targeted at those who need it most.
Read more here: Breathing space on your energy bill - GOV.UK
More than 70,000 social homes to be built
The Government has announced the first major funding from its ÂŁ39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme the biggest investment in social and affordable housing in a generation.
Nearly ÂŁ10 billion is being allocated now to councils, housing associations and other providers to support more than 70,000 new homes across England, with nearly two-thirds expected to be for social rent the most affordable type of rented housing.
Here in the West Midlands, ÂŁ409 million is being allocated in this first wave to support around 3,200 new social and affordable homes.
This is part of a much bigger commitment, with ÂŁ1.7 billion expected for the West Midlands over the lifetime of the programme, helping to deliver at least 10,000 affordable homes across our region.
Importantly, more decisions about where and what homes are built will be made locally, so that investment can better reflect the housing needs of communities across the West Midlands.
Too many families are waiting years for a suitable home, paying high private rents or living in temporary accommodation.
Across the West Midlands, more than 65,000 households are on social housing waiting lists, while almost 15,000 children are living in temporary accommodation.
A decent, secure and genuinely affordable home gives families stability and children the best possible start in life. This investment is about building more of those homes and getting councils building again at the scale our communities need.
Read more here: Coverage of first wave of funding from the Social and Affordable Homes Programme – MHCLG in the Media
10,000 new work experience opportunities at Sainsbury's
Sainsbury’s is creating around 10,000 work experience and skills opportunities for young people across the UK over the next year, as part of a new programme supported by the Government’s drive to connect young people with employers.
Starting in October, young people will be able to take part in workplace visits, practical work experience and careers sessions, as well as getting help with CVs, interviews and job applications.
The programme will particularly target communities where young people face greater barriers to getting into work, including areas with higher levels of free school meal eligibility.
There will be opportunities for 14 to 18 year olds to gain their first experience of the workplace, while 16 to 24-year-olds will also be able to access employability support to help them prepare for jobs.
Schools can start registering their interest from September, ahead of the first opportunities beginning in October.
Getting your first opportunity shouldn’t depend on who you know.
Work experience can give a young person the confidence, skills and contacts they need to take that first step into employment. With around one in eight 16 to 24 year olds currently not in education, employment or training, we need government and employers working together to create genuine routes into work.
I welcome Sainsbury’s stepping up and creating thousands of opportunities, alongside the Government’s reforms to strengthen technical education and give young people much earlier exposure to the world of work.
Read more here: 10,000 work experience opportunities for young people as Sainsbury's joins national drive to tackle youth unemployment - GOV.UK
Prime Minister visits Ukraine
Prime Minister Andy Burnham travelled to Kyiv for his first overseas visit as Prime Minister, joining President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other world leaders as Ukraine marked its 35th Independence Day.
The visit reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russia’s illegal invasion and securing a just and lasting peace.
During the visit, the Prime Minister co-chaired his first meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, bringing international partners together to discuss Ukraine’s security and continued support.
The Government also announced further defence cooperation, allowing British technology used in long-range SCALP missiles to support plans for the missiles to be assembled in Ukraine.
The UK has committed ÂŁ25 billion in support to Ukraine, including ÂŁ16 billion in military assistance, as well as humanitarian, economic and other non-military support.
As the Prime Minister said in Kyiv, Ukraine’s security is our security. Supporting Ukraine is about defending its right to determine its own future, standing up to aggression and helping secure peace and stability in Europe.
Read more here: Britain is 100% behind you: Prime Minister Andy Burnham visits Kyiv on Ukrainian Independence Day for first international trip - GOV.UK
New restrictions to protect victims from dangerous offenders
The Government has announced new powers to severely restrict where some of the most dangerous offenders can go after they leave prison, putting greater freedom and control back in the hands of victims.
Under new “restriction zones”, offenders on licence could be confined to a tightly defined area just a few miles wide. Unlike existing exclusion zones, which simply prevent an offender going to particular places, the new system can set clear boundaries around where an offender is allowed to go.
Victims will have a say in how those boundaries are drawn, helping them go to work, visit family and move around their community with less fear of unexpectedly encountering their offender.
Offenders subject to GPS monitoring can be tracked around the clock. If they breach their restrictions, probation services will be able to identify this quickly and they could be recalled to prison.
The Government is also investing ÂŁ700 million in probation and community services by 2028/29, alongside recruiting 1,300 new probation officers this year.
Victims should not have to restrict their lives because of the person who harmed them. The restrictions should fall on the offender.
Read more here: World-first crackdown to restrict offenders’ freedom and give it back to victims - GOV.UK
Supporting parents with childcare
The Government is introducing measures to help families with the cost of sending their children to school.
From September, new school uniform rules will help reduce costs for parents by limiting the number of branded items schools can require. This builds on wider support available to families, helping ensure that every child can start the school year ready to learn.
Families in Birmingham Edgbaston are set to benefit from a package of measures worth up to ÂŁ1,500 a year, including:
🥣 Free breakfast clubs (worth around £450)
🏫 Expanded free school meals (worth around £500)
🎒 A cap on branded school uniform items (saving families around £50)
By reducing the cost of everyday school essentials, these measures will help ease pressure on household budgets and ensure more children have the support they need to thrive at school.
Local News
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
Royal Mail changes
Royal Mail has begun rolling out changes to how 2nd Class letters are delivered, following reforms to the Universal Service agreed by Ofcom.
What is changing?
Under the new system, 2nd Class and other non-1st Class letters will be delivered every other weekday, Monday to Friday, rather than on every delivery day. Royal Mail will aim to deliver 2nd Class letters within three working days.
The changes are being introduced gradually across around 1,200 delivery offices and are expected to be fully implemented by December 2026.
What stays the same?
1st Class letters will continue to be delivered six days a week, Monday to Saturday.
Parcels will continue to be delivered up to seven days a week.
🇬🇧 Royal Mail’s one-price-goes-anywhere service will remain, meaning the same stamp price applies wherever in the UK your letter is going.
You will also still be able to choose between 1st and 2nd Class services.
If you use 2nd Class post, you should allow a little more time for letters to arrive. For anything particularly important or time-sensitive, you may want to consider using 1st Class.
Royal Mail says the reforms are intended to make the postal service more reliable and sustainable as the number of letters being sent continues to fall. Please do get in touch if you have any concerns regarding your mail.
Read more here: Letter deliveries are changing to deliver a better all-round service | Royal Mail Group Ltd
Letter to Birmingham City Council
The ongoing bin dispute is causing real frustration for residents across Birmingham.
I am hearing from more and more constituents who are still not receiving regular recycling and garden waste collections.
I have written to Birmingham City Council asking for an urgent update on the dispute and when normal services will resume.
Harborne Primary School to join academy trust
Harborne Primary School has announced that it will join The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust from September 2026.
Barclays Van closing
Barclays' mobile banking van service at Queen Elizabeth Hospital will be withdrawn from 19 November 2026.
The Barclays Van currently visits the hospital monthly and provides customers with access to a range of in-person banking services. Barclays says the decision follows a decline in customer use, with more people choosing to bank online, through mobile apps, by telephone, or at branch locations.
Barclays has stated that customers who currently use the service will be contacted directly and provided with information about alternative ways to access day-to-day banking services.
The bank will continue to invest in its wider branch network and digital services as customer banking preferences evolve. Customers affected by the change are encouraged to explore the alternative support options available to them.
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.
In Bartley Green
A constituent was living in unsuitable accommodation, I spoke with their housing association and secured them a direct offer of accommodation. They were then able to sign a tenancy agreement.
In Harborne
After I contacted the DWP about a resident who had not received their State Pension for almost a year, they received over ÂŁ5,000 in backdated payments, as well as ÂŁ100 compensation for the delay.
After a resident raised concerns about being refused care, I escalated the case to Adult Social Care and secured approval for a referral, enabling them to receive direct payments to support their care needs.
If you have any issues you would like to raise with me please get in touch.
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
Cuppa with a Coppa
10:00AM - 11:00AM, Mon 28 September 2026
Holloway Hall, Holloway, Bartley Green, Birmingham
Cuppa with a Coppa
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Wed 14 October 2026
St Francis Centre, Glen Side, 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
PCSO walkabout
12:00PM - 2:00PM, Sun 20 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
To receive regular updates about the police in your area, sign up for WM Now updates here.
Here’s some things from last week you may have missed:
🔚Ending rough sleeping
🚌West Midlands buses to be taken under public control
đź©ĽFree 24/7 bus travel for disabled people
đźš«13 asylum hotels closed
🏠New homes closer to train stations
Read last week's newsletter here: Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 21 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
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