Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 29th May 2026
- May 28
- 10 min read
Updated: May 29
This Week the Government has delivered...
Cost of living support
The rise in the price cap because of a war we did not choose is deeply unwelcome news. This Government knows that people are worried and easing that worry is our number one priority.
That's why last week the Chancellor acted to:
🚘freeze fuel duty
🚌make bus travel free for children across England in August
⚡️take £150 average costs off energy bills for the years ahead
🏡And extended the Warm Home Discount for around 6 million families
These measures are on top of all the other cost of living measures like free childcare and minimum wage rises.
This Government will continue to monitor the economic situation and step in if more is required to protect those who need it most. It is essential that we learn the right lesson from the second fossil fuel crisis our country has faced in a decade.
Watch Rachel Reeves above.
Closer ties with Poland
This week, the Prime Minister met with Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk to sign a defence treaty to strengthen our shared security and capabilities. The treaty is the biggest step forward in our defence and security relationship with Poland in a generation. The agreement will help to protect British borders, tackle organised crime, bolster collective defences and deepen cooperation with the European Union.
Read more here: UK and Poland set to sign major defence and security treaty as PM steps up relationship with Europe to keep nation safe - GOV.UK
MSK patients to get faster care and help returning to work
This week, the Government announced that thousands of patients with painful joint and muscle conditions will receive employment support and treatment to tackle health-related economic inactivity.
The Government is investing £3.2 million to expand the NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Musculoskeletal (MSK) Community Delivery Programme, which cut musculoskeletal waiting lists by 20%.
The new funding will support MSK community appointment days - innovative one-day clinics that bring health specialists and mental health support and physical activity services together, allowing people to engage with multiple services in one visit.
It will also support “super clinics”, which rapidly increase clinical capacity and provide one-to-one, in-depth clinical diagnostics and targeted treatments.
Read more here: MSK patients to get faster care and help returning to work - GOV.UK
Milburn report on youth employment
On Thursday, (28 May 2026) the Government's commissioned report by Alan Milburn on getting young people into work was published, making the case for fundamental system change.
This Government inherited a system where nearly a million young people were not in employment, education or training (NEET). To tackle this issue, Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden asked independent reviewer, Alan Milburn to look into the causes of record unemployment and inactivity among 16- to 24-year-olds.
In his report, Milburn laid out that the current broken system is failing a generation. The interim review details how the first rung of the career ladder has thinned and for too many young people it is now out of reach. 84 per cent of NEET young people want a job or training but are not getting the support they need. W
ithout urgent action, the number of young people affected could rise to 1.25 million within five years.
The key statistics from the report are:
Mid- and lower-skilled jobs have fallen by around 1.6 million over the past 20 years
Hospitality vacancies have nearly halved in the last 4 years
Apprenticeships for 16-24-year-olds have fallen by 35% since the Apprenticeship Levy was introduced in 2017
The proportion of 16-17-year-olds in paid work has nearly halved from 35% in 2006 to 19% today
If every current inactive 18-24-year-old was in full-time work, this would contribute an additional £38 billion to UK GDP
58% of inactive young people (6 in 10) have never had a job
Nearly half of all PIP claims among young people are now for autism and ADHD, compared to less than 1 in 10 among all PIP claimants
7 in 10 young people claiming a health and disability benefit are still claiming 10 years later
Of those who first claim aged 16-24, 53% are still not in work after 5 years - dropping to just 48% after 15 years
The number of 16-24-year-olds receiving DLA or PIP has risen from around 200,000 in 2012 to over 400,000 today, and is projected to reach 700,000 by 2031/32
Read the report here: Young people and work: interim report - GOV.UK
This Government is working to reduce youth unemployment. Last year the Government announced a £1.5 billion package to tackle youth unemployment - including a Youth Guarantee to offer training, work experience or a subsided job to young people out of work.
An extra £1 billion was allocated for the Youth Guarantee to deliver 200,000 jobs and apprenticeships for young people. This includes: a £3,000 hiring incentive for 18-24-year-olds out of work for six months; an apprenticeship incentive of £2,000 for a young person taken on by an SME; and expanding the Jobs Guarantee to 18-24-year olds who are long-term unemployed.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote in The Times about the Government's new deal for young people, read more here: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/keir-starmer-alan-milburn-report-young-people-work-p2gdxrw8w
Big changes are coming to student finance and lifelong learning opportunities
The Government’s new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), launching from 2027, will give adults access to flexible funding for university degrees, technical qualifications, and modular study throughout their working lives.
Learners will be able to access tuition fee loans, maintenance support, and funding for shorter modules in priority skills areas such as engineering, computing, healthcare and construction.
This is about making it easier for people to retrain, upskill and gain new qualifications at any stage of life helping open up opportunity and support economic growth.
Three Birmingham based universities and colleges have received funding
Aston University
Birmingham City University
University College Birmingham
Read more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lifelong-learning-entitlement-overview/lifelong-learning-entitlement-overview
300,000 new work experience placements for young people
Today (Friday 29th May) the Government announced it would be creating 300,000 new work experience opportunities and training placement to give young people across the country the chance to earn or learn.
As part of the £2.5 billion youth employment support package, young people can gain hands-on experience, build real skills and move into sustained work in a variety of sectors including construction, health and social care and hospitality.
Campaign to stamp out waste crime
Crimestoppers, in partnership with Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (DEFRA) and the Environment Agency, has launched ‘Eyes on Waste Crime’, giving people a safe, anonymous way to report those responsible for illegal dumping. Anyone can contact Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
New YouGov research commissioned by Crimestoppers in May 2026 found that nearly two-thirds of people in England noticed some form of waste crime in the last year. Over half say it negatively affects their quality of life, and nearly a quarter have witnessed illegal waste sites or dumping on land. This campaign is taking action to report the illegal waste and ensure people are held accountable for breaking the law.
Watch my video above talking about stricter punishments for people using their vehicles when flytipping.
Youth Justice White Paper
The Government's new Youth Justice White Paper was launched last week which includes a comprehensive package of reforms to stop more young people falling into crime and break the cycle of offending.
The reforms come as figures show eight in ten prolific offenders first committed a crime as a child, highlighting the urgent need for earlier and more effective intervention.
Under the plans, more children at risk of offending will receive targeted support earlier through expanded prevention programmes, helping steer them away from crime before it escalates. New Youth Intervention Courts will be piloted to tackle repeat offending, bringing together judges, youth justice services and specialist support to address the root causes of crime and keep young people on track.
An extra £15.4 million per year will be invested in the Government’s flagship Turnaround programme to help 12,000 children at risk of entering the youth justice system, over the next three years.
Read more here: Cutting youth crime, changing young lives - GOV.UK
Local News
New Banking Hub in Harborne
After years of campaigning, I am excited to share that we will be getting a new banking hub on Harborne High Street.
I know the impact local bank closures have had on our community. This new hub at 93a High Street, Harborne will provide access to everyday banking services for customers of all major banks. Residents will be able to pay bills, withdraw and deposit cash, and get banking support locally.
Work has already started on the site and I look forward to seeing it open soon.
Thank you to Cash Access UK for working with me.
Watch my video above.
Rose Road site visit
I recently visited the former Harborne Police Station on Rose Road, to discuss concerns about the noise and disruption residents have raised with me. The current demolition phase for the site is expected to last another three weeks, I have written to residents to ask them share any concerns with the work.
If you live or work near the site, please do get in touch with me to share any concerns you have.
Pride in Place drop-in event - Thursday 4 June
Next Thursday, I am hosting a drop-in event with Pete West, Chair of Woodgate Bartley Green, Pride in Place, to talk to residents about the Pride in Place funding and hear their views on how we can use this investment to improve our area.
The event is open to anyone who lives or works in Bartley Green, details are below.
📍 Bartley Green Social Club, Field Lane
📅 Thursday 4th June
🕖 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Anyone is welcome, so please come along and meet me and Pete!
Have your say on Pride in Place funding for Woodgate and Bartley Green
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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.
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 - 13:20om on the third Thursday of every month
Where: Bimringham Settlement, 79 Selwyn Road, Birmingham B16 0SL
The next one will be on Thursday 18th June - for more information email: dementia.cafes@ageukbirmingham.org.uk
Kits for Kids - £1,000 grants applications for grassroots football kits open
Kits for Kids is a new initiative, supported by the Severn Trent Community Fund, offering £1,000 kit grants to grassroots football teams for children aged 16 and under in Birmingham and Coventry (B1-B47 and CV1-CV7 postcodes).
Sports teams across the region are able to apply for the initative which aims to help more children get out on the pitch, feel part of a team and play the game they love.
Applications close on 21 June.
To find out more, visit: stwater.co.uk/kitsforkids
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 |
8 June 2026 | Woodgate Valley Park car park, Clapgate Lane, B32 3DS | 7:30am to 12:30pm |
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
Drop-in Session - HOLLOWAY HALL
10:00AM - 11:00AM, Mon 01 June 2026
Holloway Hall, Holloway, Birmingham
Harborne
cuppa with a coppa
3:00PM - 5:00PM, Sat 30 May 2026
Boston Tea Party Harborne Village.
Find more information here: Birmingham | West Midlands Police
Here's eight things the Government did last week you may have missed:
💷 The Government has launched the British Summer Savings scheme, with free bus travel for children in August and VAT cuts on attractions, cinemas and children’s meals, to help ease the cost of living
📉 Net migration has been cut by almost three quarters in the first 18 months of the current Government being in office, and we’re ending the use of asylum hotels for good
⛽ The Government has extended the fuel duty freeze, and we’re cutting red diesel rates and giving hauliers a 12-month road tax holiday. Labour is on the side of drivers
🎓 The Government has launched a new International SEND Alliance as part of its once-in-a-generation reforms to improve support for children with special educational needs
🏘️ The Government is introducing a new Neighbourhood Guarantee to deliver cleaner streets, get more potholes filled and strengthen local services
📈 The Government has secured the first G7 trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council, expected to boost the UK economy by £3.7 billion a year and increase wages by £1.9 billion a year
🏗️ The Government is investing £96 million to create tens of thousands of construction placements and tackle skills shortages and get people into skilled jobs
💼 The Government is supporting local business by introducing the toughest late payment regime in the G7, with new powers to fine persistent late payers
🚮 The Government is cracking down on waste crime with stricter checks on waste operators and prison sentences of up to five years for waste criminals
This week I have helped on over 180 constituents with casework. 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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