Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 5th June 2026
- Jun 4
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 6
This Week the Government has delivered...
NHS Modernisation Bill
We all know the frustration of sitting down and trying to find all the relevant medical documents. Now, with the introduction of the Single Patient Record in the new NHS Modernisation Bill, your medical history will all be in one secure place, you no longer have to repeat your story to different NHS staff, and staff will no longer need to work with incomplete records across multiple systems.
The Single Patient record will be safe, secure and more efficient.
Affordable Housing
This week, the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, set out in The Guardian how the Government is investing in social and affordable housing - a major step towards tackling the housing crisis.
We know that for over more than four decades, right to buy has massively depleted council housing stock – and continues to do so now, at a time when 1.3m households are on waiting lists in England and more than 175,000 children are living in temporary accommodation.
Meanwhile, the housing benefit bill has risen to its highest levels in real terms since comparable records began in 1970. Over 40% of right to buy homes are now in the private rented sector, with more than 2m homes sold since the 1980s. This decline must be stopped, because social housing is not just about bricks and mortar: it is about families, young people, and the vulnerable getting the security, stability and dignity they deserve.
Read more here: A place where everyone has somewhere of their own, to thrive and feel safe – this will be my politics of home | Keir Starmer | The Guardian
Armed Forces Bill
This week, the Armed Forces Bill reached Report stage, through the Bill the Government is creating a series of measures to improve our Armed Forces.
The plans include:
Better Housing - a new Defence Housing Service that will see the development of 100,000 new homes, putting forces and their families first.
Backed by a landmark £9 billion strategy, over 40,000 homes will be modernised.
Better protection: the bill also includes a suite of measures to protect victims from sexual and violent behaviour, domestic abuse, stalking and harassment.
Boosting military readiness - This Bill will expand our reserve pool for rapid mobilisation when the nation needs them in times of crisis:
We are making it easier to call for personnel earlier in a conflict scenario.
The maximum age limit that some reserves can be recalled is raised, responding to calls made by reservists themselves who warned their experience was being lost by an arbitrary age limit.
And we will raise the length of liability for recall for those in the Royal Navy, bringing it into line with other the RAF and the Army.
Those currently serving will rightly have an opportunity to opt -out of the changes. Those who have left Service will not be affected but will have the chance to opt in allowing them to continue service if they wish.
Read more here :Armed Forces Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament
Happy Pride Month
June is Pride Month celebrating the contribution of LGBT+ people in the local community.
Recognising that many LGBT+ people are feeling concerned by the current political climate, this Government is delivering on its manifesto promises to the LGBT+ community, including:
Delivering a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices
Equalising the law so that hate crime towards LGBT people attracts the same severity of sentence as those motivated by race or religion
Improving the experience of LGBT+ personnel and veterans in the Armed Forces and delivering financial recognition to LGBT veterans as per the Etherton Review
Tackling HIV transmissions and improving access to healthcare
Read more here: Pride Month - House of Commons Library
Devolution of local innovation funding
This week the government announced Mayors in England will be given more power to fuel innovation and boost jobs in their region through Local Innovation Partnerships Fund
The Fund helps local leaders target R&D investments to support opportunities for growth and support innovations which improve people’s lives, from new medical technology to cleaner energy.
After the next Spending Review, Mayors of Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities will be given the ability to decide how and where to target regional R&D investment through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund on their own doorstep.
This decision is driven by the government’s commitment to empower local leaders to make the right funding decisions for their communities and unlock investment in their region.
Read more here: Regional leaders to get more power over innovation funding to drive local jobs and growth - GOV.UK
Energy Security, Jobs and Investment
Businesses and families across the UK will reap the benefits of clean energy transition, as the government sets outs new emission targets, set to protect family finances, grow the economy and tackle the climate crisis.
As Britain faces its second fossil fuel shock in five years due to the war in Iran, the government's clean energy and climate plans are crucial. The installation of solar panels saves up to £500 a year for households, whilst electric cars save £1,400 a year.
Additionally, the Warm Homes Plan will deliver £15 billion of public investment to upgrade up to 5 million homes and lift up to a million families out of fuel poverty by 2030.
Statement from Sikh MPs on the murder of Henry Nowak
Henry Nowak's murder was a horrific crime. Our thoughts remain with his family and loved ones. Sikh MPs issued a statement on Tuesday standing in solidarity with Henry's family, supporting justice and accountability, and rejecting attempts to divide communities.
Read the full statement below.
I also spoke to BBC West Midlands about our open letter, listen to the interview below:
Local News
Supporting Youth Mental Health Services
On Wednesday I responded to a Westminster Hall debate about the work the Government is doing to support young people's mental health.
The country is right to expect a children and young people’s mental health system that is simple, faster and stronger at every stage.
That’s why we will publish a new mental health strategy this year, which will treat people earlier and faster, and support those with mental health conditions to live a full life and stay active in education, family life and their communities.
Please feed into the consultation here: Informing the mental health strategy for England - GOV.UK
Watch my speech above.
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.
Social media consultation for Under 15s
This week I handed in feedback to the Secretary of State for Science Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall, about the social media roundtable I led at Lordswood School for Girls a few weeks ago.
It was fantastic to hear from Year 8s and 9s about their thoughts on social media and a potential ban, and their feedback will directly inform the outcome of the consultation. Whilst the government considers how best to support young people in the digital age, it is crucial that we listen to their voices and lived experience.
Liz Kendall wrote to the school to thank them for all their efforts, read her letter below:
Woodhouse Breakfast Club Visit
It was fantastic to visit Woodhouse Primary Academy School in Quinton to see their new breakfast club.
Thanks to Government funding the children can have a healthy breakfast to start their day.
Watch my video above.
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.
On Thursday, alongside our chair Pete West, we held a meet and greet at the Bartley Green Social Club, watch the video below:
Constituent Lobby on Plant-Rich Diets
Constituent Sarah Benn came to Parliament this week to talk to me about the importance of plant-rich diets. Sarah highlighted the wealth of benefits, solutions and opportunities that plant-rich diets bring to the UK, and I will be writing to the Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Angela Eagle, on this matter.
NatWest Business Roundtable
It was great to meet with local businesses at NatWest HQ this week for a roundtable discussion on the opportunities and challenges facing businesses in the constituency and Birmingham.
Kellogg’s Breakfast Club Awards 2026: Nominations now open!
Nominations for the Kellogg’s Breakfast Club Awards 2026 are now open. The awards recognise the vital role that breakfast clubs play in making sure children do not have to start the day hungry, whilst celebrating the schools, staff, pupils and communities whose dedication helps children begin the school day well-fed and ready to learn.
For more than 28 years, Kellogg’s has supported school breakfast clubs across the UK, investing over £6 million in grants to schools, with a particular focus on communities facing high levels of poverty.
Deadline for applications is 30 June schools can apply here: Survey: UK Breakfast Club Awards 2026
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: Birmingham 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
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 - ST FRANCIS COMMUNITY CHURCH
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Wed 10 June 2026
St Francis Community Centre, Glenside, Bartley Green
Drop-in Session - MILEBROOK HALL
10:00AM - 11:00AM, Thu 11 June 2026
Milebrook Hall, 143-151 Field Lane, Birmingham
Edgbaston
PACT Meeting
6:00PM - 8:00PM, Wed 24 June 2026
to be confirmed
Harborne
PACT Meeting
7:00PM - 9:00PM, Wed 17 June 2026
St. Peter’s Church. Old Church Road Harborne B17 0BB
Quinton
Drop in surgery
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Tue 09 June 2026
Quinborne Community Centre, 80 Ridgacre Rd, Quinton
Pact Meeting
6:00PM - 8:00PM, Wed 29 July 2026
Time/ Date TBC
Find more information here: Birmingham | West Midlands Police
Here’s eight things the Government delivered in England last week you may have missed:
👶 This Government is taking action to tackle the cost of living by asking the Competition and Markets Authority to take action on hidden childcare costs
🧑🔧 The Government is creating 300,000 new work experience placements to help young people gain hands-on skills and move into work, accelerating the Youth Guarantee
🛒 The Government is consulting on tariff cuts for 125 everyday essentials, including garlic, avocados, olive oil and baked beans, to help ease pressure on food prices
🚆 This Government is bringing rail back into public ownership, with the first Great British Railways-branded train unveiled ahead of Britain’s largest train operator joining the publicly owned network
🏥 The Government is supporting pharmacies with a £340 million deal to roll out independent prescribing, helping patients get faster treatment for common conditions from autumn 2026
🌿 This Government is investing £30 million through a new Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund to restore wildflower meadows, wetlands and native woodlands across England’s protected landscapes
🌊 The Government is bringing forward new legislation to protect subsea cables, with tougher fines, stronger monitoring, and new emergency powers for critical digital infrastructure
🛡️ The new defence treaty is the biggest step forward in our defence and security relationship with Poland in a generation and will strengthen our shared security and capabilities
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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