Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 6th March 2026
- 11 hours ago
- 9 min read
This Week the Government Announced...
Consultation Open: DSIT new social media ban
This week the Government launched a consultation on the potential ban of social media for under 16s. As a former Children's Manager, I know how important it is to keep our children safe both online and offline.
I’m proud that this Government is determined to act and will not hesitate to make whatever changes are needed to keep our children safe.
The consultation will consider how children use digital technology as well as measures including:
setting a minimum age for children to access social media - and what age would be right
restricting risky functionalities and design features that encourage excessive use, such as infinite scrolling and autoplay
whether the digital age of consent should be raised
how age verification and age assurance technologies can support effective implementation
whether the guidance on the use of mobile phones in schools should be put on a statutory footing
better support for parents, including clearer guidance and simpler parental controls
We welcome responses from everyone, including children and young people, whose voices are central to this process.
The Government is taking feedback until 26th May 2026, to feed into the consultation visit: Growing up in the online world: a national consultation - GOV.UK
Read more here: Landmark consultation seeks views on major measures to protect children on social media, gaming platforms and AI chatbots - GOV.UK
Spring Statement - the right economic plan for Britain
he Spring Statement from Chancellor Rachel Reeves sets out Labour’s plan to grow the economy and ease the cost of living.
✅ £150 off energy bills
✅ Rail fares frozen
✅ Inflation falling faster than forecast
✅ Interest rates cut six times
✅ UK forecast to be the fastest-growing economy in the G7
This Government is delivering stability, growth and more money in people’s pockets.
Read more here: Spring Forecast 2026: The right economic plan for Britain - GOV.UK
Second reading of Representation of the People Bill
This week, the Representation of the People Bill reached its second reading in the House of Commons. The bill is the boldest and most ambitious change to our democracy for a generation, allowing 16 and 17 year olds the vote for the very first time in UK-wide elections.
Alongside introducing votes at 16, the reforms will toughen up rules on political donations and crack down on intimidation and abuse of those participating in public life. The reforms will keep our elections secure and encourage more people to engage and participate in our democracy. It is unacceptable for legitimate voters to be prevented/discouraged from voting. This bill will also permit the use of UK-authorised bank cards as accepted forms of voter ID in Great Britain. The bill will strengthen the powers of the Electoral Commission and provide clear deterrents against law breaking.
While the bill is being considered, the Public Bill Committee are calling for evidence, if yourself or someone you know has a special interest or expertise on the bill, please visit: Representation of the People Bill: call for evidence - UK Parliament
Child Cruelty Register
This week the Government tabled amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill to set up a new Child Cruelty Register.
Child cruelty offenders will have nowhere to hide, facing tougher and lasting consequences with the new register. Adults who subject children in their care to cruel, heartless crimes such as neglect and abandonment will be more closely monitored by police and face similar restrictions as registered sex offenders.
This could include having to inform police if they move house, change their identities, travel abroad or start living with children again after their sentence.
Read more here: New register for people convicted of child cruelty offences - GOV.UK
Visa break for nationals from four countries
An ‘emergency brake’ on visas has been imposed for the first time on nationals from 4 countries following a surge in asylum claims from legal routes.
Asylum applications by students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan rocketed by over 470% between 2021 and 2025 – making them among the most likely nationalities to claim.
Meanwhile, the number of Afghans on work visas claiming asylum is now outstripping the number of visas issued.
In an unprecedented step, the Home Office will end sponsored study visas from all 4 countries and skilled worker visas for Afghan nationals.
World Book Day 2026
On Thursday we celebrated World Book Day - a day to encourage children and young people to read. As a lifelong reader, I'm so pleased we have this day to recognise the importance of reading.
Read more here: Get Ready for World Book Day 2026 - World Book Day
Schools will be required to have stronger Allergy guidance
This week the Government announced that for the first time, schools in England will be legally required to follow stronger allergy guidance. Nearly 700,000 children in England have a food allergy, and their parents should be able to send them to school knowing that their allergies will be properly managed.
The new statutory requirements mean for the first time schools must have:
A dedicated allergy safety policy
Individual Healthcare Plans for affected pupils
Emergency adrenaline auto-injectors stocked as standard
Mandatory allergy awareness training for all staff
As well as saving lives, the new measures will help children stay in school, with 500,000 days of learning lost due to allergy-related illness or medical appointments in the last year alone.
Read more here: Stronger protections for children with allergies in school - GOV.UK
Local News
Iftar in North Edgbaston
It was a pleasure to attend the Iftar at Summerfield Community Centre on Saturday. Great to see our community come together and celebrate this Ramadan. We are fortunate to have such a united, supportive community here in North Edgbaston.
Quinton Post office closure
Quinton post office is set to close on Monday 23rd March due to the retirement of the current postmaster. I'm working with the post office to ensure we have sufficient provisions for post in Quinton.
Read more here: Quinton B32 1AJ - 337201 - Post Office - Citizen Space
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.
Canada delegation meeting
It was an honour to welcome the Canadian delegation to the UK on Tuesday, including Kody Blois MP and Judy Sgro MP.
As Commonwealth partners and close allies, we discussed trade ties, expanding economic cooperation and working together on opportunities that deliver for our people.
Centenary Mission '28
As the first Sikh woman to be elected as an MP and the 480th women in Parliament, I'm proud to be a woman representing my constituency. It was an honour to join other female MPs celebrating the work we do for gender equality and how by 2028 we want to have equality for women and men in Parliament.
Read more here: Mission 2028 - Centenary Action
Marie Curie -Daffodil Appeal
On Wednesday I joined Marie Curie nurses to raise awareness for their campaign Great Daffodil Appeal. It was useful to discuss the current levels of unmet need for palliative and end-of-life care, and changes we can make to ensure everyone gets the care they need.
Read more here: Great Daffodil Appeal | Marie Curie
Surgeries
My Advice surgeries for March started this week, my next surgeries will be on Thursday 12th March. They are an opportunity for constituents to meet me and my team to discuss any issues or concerns they have in the area. Full timings and locations for surgeries are listed below.
Surgeries Thursday 12th March 2026
Edgbaston: 10:30-11:30am: Edgbaston Community Centre, 40 Woodview Drive, B15 2HU
Bartley Green: 12:00-1:00pm: Newman University, Genners Lane, B32 3NT
In the meantime, if you have any issues, please contact me on email preet.gill.mp@parliament.uk or call 0121 392 8426.
Closure on Rotton Park Road for pothole repair
After successful campaigning, the Council will be repairing potholes on Rotton Park Road from Sunday 8th March at 12pm until Wednesday 11th March 5pm.
All cars must be cleared on Sunday between 3pm - 6pm, with access being restricted from Sunday at 12pm. If you use this road regularly please find an alternative route during this period.
If you have any concerns or questions please do get in contact with me call 0121 392 8426 or email preet.gill.mp@parliament.uk
Exempt accommodation on Fleming Road
This week I wrote to residents on Fleming Road around concerns about support exempt accommodation property on the road. I have formally contacted the Council's Supported Exempt Accommodation Team to raise the condition and management of the property.
I've been informed a three-week timeframe has been set for the completion of the required renovations and management improvements needed for the property.
Please see the full letter here: Exempt accommodation - Fleming Road letter
I recently raised concerns about exempt accommodation in Westminster Hall, please see above.
QE parking
This week I wrote to residents around Queen Elizabeth Hospital to update them on the parking scheme, following recent queries from several residents requesting further information.
The council has confirmed that Area 3B will procure a contractor with construction expected to start early this year.
Read the full letter here: QE Parking - letter
Care Champions Programme at Brandwood Centre
The Care Champions Programme is coming to the Brandwood Centre, and is open to anyone over 19, living in Birmingham and not in work. They are offering tailored training for individuals who aspire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of adults with diverse health and care needs. Providing participants with the skills and knowledge for employment in health and social care roles.
If you're interested please call calling 0121 443 3310 and speak to a member of our team or email alison@brandwoodcentre.co.uk.
Community month of action to reconnect people with nature
Thousands of people across the West Midlands will get the chance to roll up their sleeves and reconnect with nature as a new campaign gets under way.
Thirteen community groups have been awarded a share of £30,000 to put on a packed programme of free events throughout March, helping even more people discover and improve the green spaces on their doorstep.
The Nature Call to Action campaign is the latest initiative in a plan launched last year by Mayor Richard Parker to protect and enhance nature while unlocking benefits to the health, wellbeing, and prosperity of communities and businesses.
A month of hands-on activities will include restoring wildlife habitats, planting trees and opening up hidden urban green spaces for more people to enjoy.
The full list of events is online at www.wmca.org.uk/nature-call-to-action-campaign.
Blue Coat School celebrates NACE Challenge Award accreditation
I'm delighted to share that Blue Coat School in Edgbaston has been given the National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE) Challenge Award. The award is given for high quality work in challenging all children, to achieve their best.
Congratulations to all students and staff - keep up the hard work!
Mobile Household Waste Centre dates and locations
Birmingham City Council arranges Mobile Household Waste Centres across the city.
Here are the next dates in the constituency:
Bartley Green | ||
10 March 2026 | Woodgate Valley Park car park, Clapgate Lane, B32 3DS | 7:30am to 12:30pm |
Quinton | ||
11 March 2026 | Quinton Park car park, Highfield Lane, B32 1QX | 7:30am to 12:30pm |
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 - MILEBROOK HALL
10:00AM - 11:00AM, Thu 12 March 2026
Milebrook Hall, 143-151 Field Lane, Birmingham
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
Quinton
PC Drop in session - Quinton Library
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Tue 10 March 2026
Quinton Library
Find more information here: Birmingham | West Midlands Police
Change in North Edgbaston polling station
Please be aware that the polling station for North Edgbaston will be changing in May. For those who used George Dixon Primary School to vote in 2024, the new venue will be St Germain's Church on City Road.
For more information about polling stations visit: Check your polling station | Birmingham City Council
My WhatsApp channel
I’m excited to share I’ve launched a new 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
Here’s 5 things the Government is delivering for England:
💡£117 off Energy bills in April
📑 A landmark upgrade to workers’ rights
🏬 New rights for 9 million renters
🏥 NHS waiting lists continuing to fall
👧 Lifting half a million children out of poverty
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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