Preet Kaur Gill - My Weekly Update - 1 August
- Andrew Hopper
- Aug 1
- 6 min read
As Parliament winds down for the summer recess and many of you are enjoying well-deserved holidays, I wanted to share some important updates on the work continuing in Westminster and right here in Edgbaston. Even during the quieter summer months, the business of government carries on - and this week has brought some significant announcements that will make a real difference to your daily lives.
Backing Britain's Small Businesses
This week brought one of the most exciting announcements of the summer as we launched our comprehensive plan to support small and medium-sized businesses. I've been able to see first-hand just how vital these businesses are to communities like ours - from the independent cafés and the family-run shops on Harborne High Street to innovative life sciences startups.
After fourteen years of Conservative neglect, we're delivering the biggest legislative reform on late payments in a generation. Did you know that 38 businesses close every day simply because they're not paid on time? That's someone's dream, someone's livelihood, someone's family's future - gone because big companies have been allowed to treat small businesses as free banks. We're changing that with tough new laws and proper enforcement.
Our £4 billion support package includes 69,000 new Start-Up Loans for entrepreneurs, expanded mentoring programmes, and a 25% cut in regulatory red tape. We're making Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a business - because when small businesses thrive, our communities thrive too.
You can read more about the plan here.
Ending the Private Parking Nightmare
I know many of you have horror stories about unfair parking charges - rushing to a hospital appointment only to return to an eye-watering fine, or getting charged because the payment machine was broken. This has been a campaign of mine for years, and I'm delighted that the Labour government is finally delivering action where the Conservatives failed.
Two years ago, I wrote to the then-Conservative Transport Secretary (see above) highlighting exactly these problems and calling for urgent reform. They ignored the issue completely. Now, we're consulting on a new legally-binding Private Parking Code of Practice that will transform how the industry operates.
The proposed Code includes common-sense reforms: clearer signage, mandatory grace periods, and most importantly, a new rule that would protect drivers who had no reasonable choice but to breach parking terms (like those hospital dash situations we all know too well). We're also proposing proper enforcement mechanisms so operators who breach the Code could lose access to DVLA data - finally giving the new rules real teeth.
The consultation runs until 5 September, and I strongly encourage you to share your experiences. Your voice matters in shaping these reforms. You can respond here.
Peace and Justice in the Middle East
The Prime Minister's announcement this week represents a historic moment for Britain's foreign policy. The government has set out its intention to recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September as part of a comprehensive plan for peace. This recognition will depend on an assessment of progress made by all parties in meeting specific conditions designed to end the humanitarian crisis and create a sustainable pathway forward.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands urgent action. The images of starving children, the desperate pleas for medical aid, the senseless continuation of suffering - this cannot continue. Recognition of Palestinian statehood isn't about rewarding anyone; it's about acknowledging a fundamental right and creating the diplomatic framework for lasting peace.
We will assess progress before September on key steps: Hamas must release all hostages, accept disarmament, and play no role in Gaza's future governance. Israel must end its military campaign, allow humanitarian aid to restart, agree to a ceasefire, and commit to no annexations in the West Bank. Both sides must choose peace over perpetual conflict.
As someone who has always believed in justice and human dignity, I support this balanced approach that maintains pressure on all parties while working toward a two-state solution that offers security for Israelis and freedom for Palestinians.
Local News
Supporting Local Business Growth
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker's announcement of major reforms to business support services will benefit our local entrepreneurs significantly. The new streamlined approach focuses on high-growth sectors like life sciences, clean energy, and creative industries - all areas where Edgbaston has natural advantages thanks to the University and our growing Health Innovation Campus.
I'll be working closely with local businesses to ensure they know about these new opportunities. If you run a business or are thinking of starting one, please don't hesitate to get in touch with my office.
Read more about the reforms here.
Making Our Streets Safer - Your Voices Being Heard
Your concerns about traffic safety continue to drive real action across our community. This month's progress shows what we can achieve when residents raise concerns with me and I work with Birmingham City Council to deliver solutions.
In areas including the junction of Westfield, Norfolk, and Nursery Roads, Curdale Road, Woodhouse Road, and around Wadhurst & Bernard Roads and Ridgeway, where you've raised concerns with me about speeding and dangerous driving, I've been working with the council to develop proposals for one-way traffic flows and improved parking arrangements. For roads near local schools, I'm pushing for 20mph speed limit zones with traffic calming measures to address the problem of drivers using residential streets as cut-throughs.
All the proposals will go to formal consultation soon, and I'll make sure you receive details about having your say. If you have traffic safety concerns on your street, keep getting in touch - your experiences help build the case for action.
New Adult Learning Opportunities This September
Here's some brilliant news for anyone looking to boost their skills or return to learning. Birmingham residents aged 19+ who aren't currently in employment can enrol in free Functional Skills courses in English and Maths at the Brandwood Centre.
Starting Friday 19 September, the courses will run for 12 weeks:
English: 12:30-3:00pm
Maths: 9:30am-12:00pm
Sign-up day: Monday 15 September
Whether you're looking to improve your job prospects, help your children with homework, or simply challenge yourself, these courses could be perfect. Contact alison@brandwoodcentre.co.uk or visit brandwoodcentre.co.uk for more information about these and other fantastic courses.
Work Experience - Overwhelmed by Interest!
I'm delighted to report that we've been completely overwhelmed by requests for summer work experience placements. While this means we're now fully booked until autumn, it's wonderful to see so many young people eager to understand how politics and public service work.
If you know a young person interested in future opportunities, please encourage them to contact us early in the year. There's nothing more energising than seeing the next generation engage with democracy and public service.
Looking Ahead
My regular constituency surgeries are taking a break during August, but my team and I remain available for urgent matters. Surgeries will resume in September with our usual schedule:
Friday 5th September
10:30-11:30am: St. Germain's Church, City Road, B17 9LE
3:30-4:30pm: City Road Primary School (City Road Entrance), B16 0HL
5:15-6:30pm: Quinborne Centre, Ridgeacre Road, B32 2TW
7:00-8:00pm: Lordswood Girls School, Knightlow Road, B17 8QB
Thursday 11th September
10:30-11:30am: Edgbaston Community Centre, 40 Woodview Drive, B15 2HU
12:00-1:00pm: Newman University, Genners Lane, B32 3NT
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.
In addition, Labour have been up to a lot over the last couple of weeks:
🌊 We are is cleaning up the Conservatives’ mess: we will cut sewage pollution in half by 2030
💧That includes abolishing Ofwat and establishing a single powerful regulator to crack down on water companies, prevent water pollution, and protect families’ bills
❌ Raids and arrests linked to illegal working are up by 50% with Labour, but now we’re working with Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats to go further
🛑 Our new sanctions regime means people-smuggling gangs will face having their assets frozen and being shut off from the UK financial system
📈 Labour is backing small businesses by cracking down on late payments and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs with Start Up Loans
🩺 Delivered a record number of GP appointments in one year — 7 million more than the year before
⚡ Sizewell C has been given the green light – this will deliver clean power for the equivalent of six million homes and support 10,000 jobs at peak construction
🌍 Our landmark deal with India will create thousands of British jobs, unlock new opportunities for businesses and put money in the pockets of working people
📱 Ofcom’s Protection of Children Codes came into force protecting under-18s from harmful content. These Online Safety Act protections are the biggest step forward in child safety since the internet was created
As we head into August, I want to thank everyone who has contacted my office this year with their concerns, ideas, and feedback. Your engagement makes our democracy stronger and helps me represent you more effectively in Parliament.
Enjoy the summer, stay safe, and thank you for your continued trust.
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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