Preet Kaur Gill - My Weekly Update - 2 May
- Preet Kaur Gill MP
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
Breakfast Clubs
At the opening of the breakfast club at World's End Infant and Nursery School
On Monday, I was delighted to attend the opening of the first free government-funded breakfast club at World’s End Infant and Nursery School in Quinton.
The school has wanted to open a free breakfast club, but has never been able to do so before due to a lack of funding. Now, with funding from the Labour government, they are able to offer a healthy start for children and 30 minutes of childcare before the school bell rings.
As well as offering a healthy breakfast of fruit, toast and cereal, the school also put on activities for children attending the breakfast club. Parents will be able to save up to £450 per year if their child attends free breakfast clubs every day. You can read more here.
Uniform Costs
With students from St Peter's Catholic Primary School
Parents of over 4 million children are now set to benefit from lower school uniform costs, thanks to a new proposed law which will limit the number of branded, typically more expensive, items schools can require to 3 - excluding ties.
Parents are having to pay £442 on average to kit a child out for secondary school, and £343 for primary school, putting unnecessary financial pressure on families. Analysis shows our new laws will wipe over £70 million off the cost of uniform for families across the country. Read more here.
Immigration
With West Midlands Police
Our government has announced that foreign sex offenders will be excluded from refugee protections.
At present, the Refugee Convention entitles countries to refuse asylum to terrorists, war criminals and individuals convicted of a ‘particularly serious crime’ who present a danger to the community – defined in the UK as an offence carrying a sentence of 12 months or more.
For the first time, any conviction of a crime that qualifies a foreign national for the sex offenders register will lead to them being denied refugee status, toughening our approach to border security through stricter enforcement of the rules. You can read more here.
Prescription Charges
Millions of patients are getting a cost-of-living boost as the government freezes prescription charges for the first time in 3 years. The decision will keep the cost of a prescription to a tenner, at £9.90 for a single charge. The government will always put working people first, and our moves to freeze prescription charges will put money back into the pockets of millions of patients. Read more here.
Palestinian Statehood
Prime Minister Keir Starmer with PA Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa
This week, the Prime Minister hosted the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, demonstrating the UK’s steadfast support for the Palestinian Authority. The UK and the PA signed a Memorandum of Understanding, reiterating support for a two-state solution to help secure long-term peace and security in the Middle East.
The UK has also announced new funding to support people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and to help reform and empower the Palestinian Authority.
We will not give up on the two-state solution, with Israel and a Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace, dignity and security. You can read more here.
Flytipping
Speaking to LBC this week about flytipping
So many of you write to me about flytipping blighting our constituency, that’s why I welcome the government launching a new crackdown on cowboy waste operators. We will tackle soaring fly-tipping and clean up Britain’s streets, lanes and rural areas by getting councils to work with the police to identify, seize and crush vehicles of waste criminals. Drones and mobile CCTV cameras will be deployed to identify cars and vans belonging to fly-tippers so they can be destroyed.
In addition, waste cowboys will now face up to five years in prison for operating illegally. Read more here.
Football Governance Bill
This week, I voted for our Football Governance Bill.
With our bill, we will end the scandal of rogue owners, asset-stripping administrators, and football fans left fighting for the future of their clubs. We are putting fans back at the heart of the game - where they belong. You can read more here.
Universal Credit
At Quinton Baby Bank
Around 1.2 million households struggling with debt will get to keep an average £420 more of their benefits each year, under a change to Universal Credit which came into force this week.
The Fair Repayment Rate places a limit on how much people in debt can have taken off their benefits to pay what they owe. The maximum amount that can be taken from someone’s Universal Credit standard allowance payment to repay debt has been 25% – but from today the Government has reduced it to 15%.
Our plan for change is easing the cost of living and putting more money into the pockets of working people. Read more here.
Jammu and Kashmir Terror Attack
Asking a question on Jammu and Kashmir in the House
In Parliament, I paid my respects to those who've lost loved ones in the horrific terrorist attack in India-administered Jammu and Kashmir. I asked the Minister what conversations he's been having with India and Pakistan counterparts to address the escalation of hostilities in the UK.
LBC
Speaking about our plans for clean energy on LBC
This week, I appeared on an LBC panel with Iain Dale, where I spoke about our plans for net zero by 2050, grooming gangs, flytipping, and Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office. You can watch the full episode here.
Restore the Music
With Restore the Music in Parliament
It was lovely to meet with Restore the Music in Parliament.
Restore the Music have invested in Lordswood Boys School, which has enabled them to set up a new music department. Music has a vital place in schools, and is a powerful tool for change because it unlocks potential.
Charge UK
With Charge UK in Parliament
It was good to meet with Charge UK, the voice of EV charging, to discuss the challenges and need for infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Football Foundation
With Graeme Le Saux
I was delighted to show my support for grassroots football alongside former footballer Graeme Le Saux.
Thanks to funding from the Premier League, FA and Department for Culture Media and Sport, the football foundation my old school (Lordswood Girls School) have been able to resurface their pitch, along with hundreds of other sites across the country.
Leamington Spa and Warwick Gurdawara
At Leamington Spa Gurdwara
Last Sunday, I visited Leamington Spa and Warwick Gurdwara with local MP Matt Western.
Canadian Elections
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
I’d like to congratulate Mark Carney on his election victory. The UK and Canada are the closest of allies, partners and friends, and I know our relationship will continue to grow.
Local News
Driving Tests
After my Parliamentary Question, which exposed unacceptable wait times for driving tests in Birmingham, I'm glad the Government is doubling training capacity to deliver 10,000 extra driving tests a month. You can read more here.
Dudley Road
At a meeting with Birmingham City Council about Dudley Road
I had a productive meeting with Birmingham City Council to discuss proposals for bus infrastructure improvements on Dudley Road in North Edgbaston. I have asked the council to do a consultation on the proposed designs before commencing with a formal consultation.
We looked at provisional plans to improve bus reliability, connectivity and access in the area.
PMQs
If you are a constituent of mine and would like tickets to attend Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament, please do get in touch with my office at preet.gill.mp@parliament.uk.
Best wishes,
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Preet Kaur Gill MP
Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton
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