Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 7 August 2026
- 11 hours ago
- 7 min read
This week the Government has delivered...
159 new mental health support centres to be opened
The Government this week announced a major expansion of mental health services, with 159 new facilities set to open across England, backed by £343 million. This represents the biggest redesign of adult mental health services in a generation and is aimed at making it easier for people to get support when they need it.
The plans include 100 new community mental health centres, offering walk-in support without the need for a referral and without months-long waits. These centres will bring together mental health specialists, GPs, councils and voluntary organisations, while also providing links to housing and employment support.
Alongside this, 59 dedicated mental health emergency departments will provide same-day specialist care for people experiencing a mental health crisis, offering a calm and therapeutic alternative to A&E where appropriate.
As the MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, I know how important it is that people can access mental health support close to home, when they need it most. With demand for services continuing to rise, particularly among young people, this investment is a welcome step towards ensuring more people receive timely, compassionate care in their local communities.
Protecting our communities and victims
The Government has announced further measures to strengthen public protection, improve support for victims and ensure serious offenders face tougher supervision.
Importantly, rape and serious child sex offenders, including those involved in vile grooming gang offences, will be excluded from upcoming changes to prison sentences. This means these dangerous criminals will see no reduction in the time they spend in custody and will remain behind bars for longer. They join more than 18,000 offenders already excluded from the reforms, including those serving life sentences and those assessed by the courts as the most dangerous.
The Government is also introducing tougher supervision for offenders released into the community, including enhanced probation oversight and GPS tagging for rape offenders, giving probation services constant access to their location. In addition, victims will receive improved support through better communication, a dedicated helpline and a £10 million boost for local victim services.
While reform is needed to address the prison capacity crisis inherited in 2024, public safety must remain the priority. These measures help ensure that the most serious offenders stay behind bars for longer, victims have a stronger voice, and those released into the community are subject to robust monitoring and supervision.
Read more here: Rape, serious child sex and grooming offences barred from sentencing changes - GOV.UK
Half-price rail fares for young people as 16-17 railcard extended
Thousands of more young people will get access to cheaper rail fares as the Government announces it will extend eligibility for 16-17 railcards.
From 17 August 2026, 16-17 Saver railcards will be valid for a full year from the date of purchase, rather than expiring when the holder turns 18. This will apply to anyone still in education or training in the next academic year Previous rules meant over 70,000 students annually were left on average £175 worse off than their peers as they lost out on the maximum discount available.
Read more here: More students to save from September as changes to 16-17 Saver railcard come in - GOV.UK
Bringing back British jobs
This week, the Government announced plans to back British jobs by requiring organisations bidding for public sector contracts to demonstrate how they support local people to develop new skills and help young people access apprenticeships and work placements.
Under new procurement rules, community benefits will carry twice as much weight when contracts are awarded, meaning organisations that invest in local people and opportunities will have a greater chance of securing government work.
The Government has also simplified the bidding process for smaller businesses, social enterprises and voluntary organisations by reducing red tape, making it easier for them to compete for public sector contracts and bring their expertise to local communities.
Read more here: Government orders that public spending must back British jobs and skills in every postcode - GOV.UK
Local News
Birmingham's first Banking Hub open in Harborne
It was an honour to open the first Banking hub in Birmingham 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, ensuring people can continue to access in-person banking when they need it.
This is a significant achievement for Harborne and Birmingham. It demonstrates that when a community comes together and campaigns with determination, we can deliver real change. 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.
Read more here: Birmingham Edgbaston MP opens first Banking Hub in Birmingham
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 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.
Please complete the survey here.
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.
Fly-tipped rubbish on Higgins Lane collected
When a resident reported fly-tipped rubbish in Quinton, I contacted the council to get it addressed. I'm pleased to see the waste has now been cleared.
Helped constituent attend Grandparent funeral
After a resident in Bartley Green contacted me while awaiting a decision on their permanent residency application, I spoke with the Home Office to have the case expedited on compelling circumstances, allowing the constituent to travel overseas and attend their grandparent's funeral.
Abandoned car collected in North Edgbaston
A concerned resident recently contacted me with concerns about an abandoned vehicle on the corner of Ashbourne and Shenstone Road. I'm pleased that after contacting West Midlands Police this has now been removed.
If you have any issues you would like to raise with me please get in touch.
NO surgeries in August
Thank you to everyone who attended my surgeries in July. Please note I will not be holding surgeries in August. They will resume to my usual schedule in September, more information can be found here: Advice Surgeries | Preet Kaur Gill
In the meantime please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns.
Summer events
As we approach the summer holidays, there's plenty of fun, family-friendly activities to get involved in. Please see some we have coming up in Birmingham Edgbaston below.
Moor Pool Heritage Trust - Summertime crafts
When: Friday 14th August 10am-midday
Where: Moor Pool Heritage trust
Join Moor Pool Heritage trust for a morning of seasonal crafting this summer from 10am to midday on Friday 14th August in the Main Hall. £5 per child. No booking required, cakes and drinks available to purchase.
Find out more here: Summertime Crafts – Moor Pool Heritage Trust
Birmingham Botanical Gardens events:
Gardens Yoga: Saturday Mornings
Every Saturday from 25 July until 12 September, the Garden is offering Yoga from 9-10am.
Live on the Bandstand: Burton Concert Band
9 August 2026, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Garden's Cinema
Four evenings of outdoors screenings in the garden. Films include: Akira, Sinners, Pulp Fiction, Jurassic Park
For more information on events at Botanical Gardens, visit: What's On | Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Mobile Household Waste Centre dates and locations
Birmingham City Council arranges Mobile Household Waste Centres across the city.
Quinton | ||||
Date | Location | Time | ||
8 August 2026 | Quinton Park car park, Highfield Lane, B32 1QX | 8:00am to midday | ||
Bartley Green | ||
Date | Location | Time |
13 August 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
Cuppa with a Coppa
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Wed 12 August 2026
St Francis Centre, Glen Side, Bartley Green, Birmingham
Cuppa with a Coppa
10:00AM - 11:00AM, Thu 13 August 2026
Milebrook Hall, Field Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham
Edgbaston
PSCO walkabout
10:00AM - 2:00PM, Sat 08 August 2026
Greenfield Road, Edgbaston
PCSO walkabout
4:00PM - 5:00PM, Wed 19 August 2026
QE Hospital, Mindelsohn Way
PSCO walkabout
10:00AM - 2:00PM, Sat 12 September 2026
Artisan Market, Edgbaston
Harborne
PCSO walkabout
4:00PM - 6:00PM, Sun 09 August 2026
Hagley Road West, Harborne
PCSO walkabout
12:00PM - 2:00PM, Sat 15 August 2026
Hagley Road West, Harborne
Quinton
Drop in Surgery
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Tue 11 August 2026
Quinton Library, Ridgacre Road, Birmingham, B32 2TW
Drop in Surgery
10:30AM - 11:30AM, Wed 09 September 2026
Quinton Library, Ridgacre Road, Birmingham, B32 2TW
Find more information here: Birmingham | West Midlands Police
Here’s some things from last week you may have missed:
🤝Fixing our broken Social care system
🏗️Technical opportunities for young people expanded
🚛Maypole local business visit
Read last week's newsletter here: Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 31 July 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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