Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 3rd July 2026

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This week the Government has delivered...

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£15 Billion boost for defence

This week, the Government announced a £15 billion boost to the Defence Investment Plan.

The plan focuses on supporting British industry and our Armed Forces. It includes a total of £298 billion in investment over the next four years, with the additional £15 billion announced this week building on last year’s Spending Review.

This funding will support key equipment and technologies needed to equip our Armed Forces for the challenges of today and the future. It is also expected to create 60,000 direct and indirect UK jobs in the defence sector by the end of the decade.

We are backing British industry and helping to keep our country safe.

Read more here: The Defence Investment Plan Funding explainer - GOV.UK

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£3,000 Jobs Grant for local businesses

This week the Government launched the new Youth Jobs Grant for local businesses across the UK, which will pay £3,000 for every eligible young person they hire. It is a major investment in the next generation, helping up to 60,000 people aged 18-24 take their first steps into work over the next three years.

To apply for the Youth Jobs Grant, employers simply complete a straightforward online application and receive funding in two instalments once employment and earnings have been verified by DWP. The Youth Jobs Grant and the Jobs Guarantee are key measures in the government's Youth Guarantee backed by £2.5 billion drive to back young people into jobs, skills and opportunity. The Jobs Guarantee provides fully subsidised jobs for six months, with the government covering 100% of employment costs, to eligible young people. This will support more than 1,000 young people across six areas as part of a pilot. I'm encouraging any local businesses who could benefit to apply for this grant and have written a letter to them.

Read more here: Youth Jobs Grant - GOV.UK

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20 Asylum Hotels closed across country

The Home Office have announced that 20 Asylum Hotels have closed across the country, including Collection Hotel on Hagley Road.

The latest figures are the second set of hotel closures after 11 were closed in April, saving taxpayers over £170 million this financial year. This means the number of illegal migrants in hotels has been slashed by more than half, falling from 56,000 to 21,000.

The following 20 hotels used to house illegal migrants have now shut:

• The Collection Hotel – Birmingham, West Midlands

• Dayz Away Lodge – Dudley, Black Country

• Holiday Inn Ashford Central – Ashford, Kent

• Best Western Atlantic – Chelmsford, Essex

• The Cisswood – Horsham, Sussex

• Adagio – Leicester, East Midlands

• Norwich Hotel – Norwich, Norfolk

• Allerton Court - Northallerton, North Yorkshire

• Mercure George – Reading, Berkshire

• TLK Apartments – Bromley, Greater London

• Best Western Stoke – Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

• The Granby (1 The Hill) – Gravesham, Kent

• Hampton by Hilton – Bristol

• Delta Hotel Cheshunt – Broxbourne, Hertfordshire

• Episode Leamington – Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

• Oxford Witney Hotel – Oxford, Oxfordshire

• Shambrook – Bedford, Bedfordshire

• Bell hotel - Epping, Essex

• OYO Evesham hotel - Evesham, Worcestershire

• Best Western - Wembley, London

Read more here: Asylum hotels close as government scales up use of large sites - GOV.UK

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Estimates Day Debate

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Innovation in medicines is changing lives. In Tuesday's Estimates Debate, I set out how this Government is working with industry, NHS and researchers to strengthen the UK’s life sciences sector, speed up access to innovative medicines, and ensure taxpayers get value for money.

Watch my response to the debate above.

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Breaking the link between gas and electricity prices

This week the government set out new measures to ‘break the link’ between gas and electricity prices, reducing the impact that volatile gas prices have on the price of electricity.

This will be done by:

• An updated Electricity Generators Levy: immediate action to tax excess profits through the Electricity Generator Levy by raising the rate from 45% to 55%, ensuring an increased proportion of the extraordinary revenues generated when the gas price spikes is available to government to support businesses and households with the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East on the cost of living.

• Voluntary long term fixed contracts: offered to existing low-carbon generators not on fixed‑price contracts – covering around a third of Britain’s power supply. This will help protect families and businesses from higher bills when gas prices spike, with contracts offered only where they deliver clear value for money for consumers.

Hardworking British families and businesses should not bear the brunt of global gas price shocks while electricity generators are making exceptional profits.

Alongside moving generators onto the competitive pricing assured through wholesale Contracts for Difference, increasing the EGL to 55% will help to break the link between high gas prices and high electricity prices - offering households and businesses stronger protection against future energy shocks.

Read more here: Decisive action to break influence of gas on electricity prices - GOV.UK

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Women in research charter

The Government is launching a new charter for Women in Research. Women are behind some of the most important breakthroughs that are improving lives for people right across the country. But too many see their career ambitions delayed or ended by raising a family or caring for a loved one – trade-offs that should never have to be made. We need more women working in science and tech to ensure science and tech work for women. The Government is giving future generations of women the backing they need - to join the ranks of the pioneers who make up our expert research community.

51 UK educational facilities have already signed the charter, including University of Birmingham.

Read more here: Improved family leave and flexible working to signal step change in support for women researchers - GOV.UK

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Local News

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.

If you're a resident, local business owners or stakeholder in this area, 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

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Global AI Conference 2026

It was great to speak at the Royal College of Radiologists, Global AI Conference about how we are making the NHS the most AI-enabled health system in the world. Radiologists are already using AI to help catch cancers earlier and our 10 Year Health Plan will ensure more patients get treated faster.

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Supporting Calthorpe Residents Over Land Sales

Many residents across Edgbaston have contacted me about the proposed sale of land and assets by Calthorpe Estates, including green spaces, areas with trees and private roads.

I understand why residents are concerned. People rightly want reassurance that the green spaces they value are protected, and that any future arrangements for private roads and shared areas are fair, transparent and managed in the interests of the communities who live there.

Over the past few weeks I have been working directly with residents, residents’ groups and Calthorpe Estates to focus on practical solutions. This week I attended a meeting with Calthorpe Estates and residents to discuss these concerns directly, and I also joined the public meeting at Edgbaston High School where more than 300 residents came together to discuss the issue.

I was pleased that I was able to work with residents to secure land on Hampshire Drive. There are further discussions ongoing about other areas and how residents can have a greater role in the future ownership and management of roads and shared spaces.

I have been clear with Hayden Cooper, Chief Executive of Calthorpe Estates, that where Calthorpe intends to sell its interests, residents should be given the opportunity to explore taking ownership or management of these assets themselves.

Hayden has confirmed that roads will be treated separately and residents will receive three months’ notice before any proposed sale. This provides important time for residents to consider the options available.

There are different ways residents could come together to manage roads and shared spaces, rather than approaching this street by street. These are complex issues and it is important we take the time to get this right. I want to thank the Calthorpe Residents Society for recognising the complexity of this, bringing residents together and organising workshops to explore practical solutions. I will continue working closely with them and local residents.

The Government is also taking action nationally to give homeowners greater control over the places they live. Through our reforms to leasehold and commonhold, we want to move away from outdated models where residents have too little say over the management of their homes, shared spaces and the services they rely on.

The reforms include making commonhold the default tenure for new flats, giving homeowners collective ownership and control, alongside stronger protections for residents on privately managed estates where they contribute towards the upkeep of shared areas such as roads and green spaces.

While the Calthorpe Estate situation has its own specific legal circumstances, the principle is the same: residents should have transparency, fairness and the opportunity to have a real voice in how the places they call home are managed.

I know there has also been some concern because of discussions about land in other areas, including Quinton. I want to reassure residents that this is a different situation and should not be confused with the Calthorpe Estate proposals.

My focus remains on finding solutions, protecting residents’ interests and working constructively with everyone involved. Thank you to everyone who has already contacted me please do continue to keep writing and sharing your views.

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Justice for DES

It was a privilege to meet the women and families affected by DES before responding to adjournment debate.

Hearing their experiences first hand was a powerful reminder that this is not a historical medical issue.

It is about women whose voices were dismissed, whose experiences were doubted, and whose families continue to live with the consequences.

We cannot change the past, but we can ensure their voices shape how we respond.

As Health Minister, I am committed to listening, learning and taking every appropriate step to improve care and support for those affected.

Watch my full response here:

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City Road School visit

It was very special to return to City Road Primary School in North Edgbaston the school I attended as a child.

I joined Year 5 and 6 pupils for their aspiration sessions and spoke about my journey from growing up locally to becoming the Member of Parliament for the community I call home.

It was fantastic to hear their questions, ideas and ambitions. I hope every young person growing up here knows that their dreams matter and that there is no limit to what they can achieve.

Thank you to the brilliant pupils and staff at City Road for such a warm welcome.

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Visit to Shenley Field Nursery

It was wonderful to visit Shenley Fields Nursery and meet the brilliant children and staff.

I loved hearing about the children’s work from planting and growing their own fruit and vegetables in the garden, to using what they have grown in their cooking.

I was also pleased to hear about the nursery’s UNICEF recognition, celebrating their work to put children’s rights, respect and children’s voices at the heart of everything they do.

Thank you to everyone at Shenley Fields for such a warm welcome.

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Harborne Banking Hub Set to Open Following Years of Local Campaigning

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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: Success: Harborne Banking Hub secured

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Supporting Alzheimer's Research UK

It was an honour to speak with representatives from Alzheimer's Research in Parliament a few weeks ago. It was an excellent opportunity to hear about people affected by dementia and the important progress being made in dementia research including innovations in diagnosis and treatment.

Read more here: Building political momentum to drive progress on dementia research - Alzheimer's Research UK

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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. 

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Hagley Road Steering Group meeting

On Wednesday I chaired the Hagley Road Steering Group meeting to discuss the ongoing plans for economic investment into Hagley Road and a long-term route for improved transport infrastructure.

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Islington Row traffic light issue

A constituent raised concerns about the traffic lights on Islington Row. Thanks to the resident, the local council visited the road and identified an issue with the traffic lights.

If you have any concerns in the constituency please do not hesitate to contact me.

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Applications are now open for Amazon’s Regional Creatives Fund 2026

Applications for Amazon's Creative Fund are now open. The fund offers grants worth up to £30,000 to UK charities that develop creative career pathways.

Amazon wants to hear from organisations supporting people from underrepresented communities to access careers in publishing, music, gaming, film, TV, fashion, comedy, advertising, and more. The application deadline is Sunday 2nd August.

Grants will be awarded by an independent judging panel made up of senior leaders from Amazon, the National Theatre, BAFTA, Arts Council England, Creative Wales, NI Screen, Help Musicians, and the House of Commons.

More information can be found here: https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/community/amazon-regional-creatives-fund

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Work on Vicarage Road

Severn Trent Water will be carrying out works along Vicarage Road, Harborne, from Monday 6 July 2026 for approximately three weeks.

This will involve shallow excavations in the highway to identify hazards and existing underground services. The information gathered will help Severn Trent plan the most effective way to deliver the upcoming upgrade works.

Once the investigations are complete, Severn Trent will restore all areas back to the way they were.

For more information visit: Check my area | In My Area | Severn Trent Water

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Job Fair - Wednesday 15 July

On Wednesday 15^th July – Severn Trent is hosting its biggest Big Boost for Brum event, at St. Andrews at Knighthead Park, Cattell Road B9 4RL.

We’re joined by big employers such as Barclays, Cadent, EE, Birmingham Airport, Royal Navy - with many more to be announced. The Job’s Fair runs from 10am to 2pm and we’re expecting hundreds of job seekers to attend on the day.

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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

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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

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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

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Surgeries

On Friday I held my first advice surgeries of the month, want to thank everyone who came to speak with me and for raising issues that matter to them. My next surgeries will be in Edgbaston and Bartley Green on Thursday 9 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

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Mobile Household Waste Centre dates and locations 

Information on what you can bring to the vehicle

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

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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

10:30AM - 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

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 

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Here’s some things the Government delivered in England last week you may have missed:

• Supported our high streets and announced package of tax reforms

• Launched Great British Summer scheme reducing VAT from 20% to 5%

• Backed British farming

• Made buying a home - faster, fairer and less stressful

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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