Search Results

This week, Labour hosted hundreds of businesses and investors in London at a highly successful International Investment Summit. At the summit, the new Labour government secured £63 billion investment and nearly 38,000 UK jobs, more than double the amount secured by the Conservatives last year. Through serious, stable governance, the UK is attracting tens of billions of pounds of new investment which is crucial to Labour’s driving mission of delivering economic growth. This historic investment sum shows that businesses have confidence in Britain as a place to invest.  That money includes: four major tech firms based in the US have announced £6.3 billion in UK data centres which is critical to enhancing the UK’s AI capacity – in turn fuelling Britain’s economic growth and spurring on AI development.   Blackstone has confirmed a £10 billion investment in Blyth, Northumberland to create one of the largest artificial intelligence data centres in Europe, creating 4,000 jobs, including 1,200 roles dedicated to the construction of the site.  Manchester Airports Group has announced that it is investing more than £1.1 billion in London Stansted Airport to expand its existing terminal by around a third, helping secure new air routes to key business and leisure destinations, boost local supply chains and create 5,000 jobs.    ABP, the UK’s largest port operator, has committed over £200 million to a joint investment with ferry company Stena Line in a new freight ferry terminal at the Port of Immingham. It is expected to create around 700 jobs during construction and around 200 permanent jobs once operational. Read about our investment here .  Industrial Strategy Launch At the Summit, we also launched our Industrial Strategy. Our strategy will focus on driving long-term growth in key sectors, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries, creative industries, defence, digital and tech, financial services, life sciences and professional and business services. More information here .  We also published our green paper, bringing together UK leaders, high-profile investors and businesses from around the world. If you would like to take part in the Government’s consultation and submit your views on our approach, you can do so here .  Reception At the Investment Summit Reception last Sunday As part of the investment summit, it was great to attend the reception at Lancaster House, hosted by Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.  This Government is determined to deliver on Britain’s potential so we can rebuild Britain and make every part of the country better off.  Housebuilding Our Labour government has also this week announced a £68 million brownfield land release fund for 54 councils across England to transform neglected land and disused buildings and unlock 5,200 new homes. This is part of our plan to tackle the housing crisis and restore the dream of home ownership for families across the country. More information here .  Nurseries  We have now kickstarted our plan for 3,000 school-based nurseries, launching a first round of funding worth £15 million. The work forms part of the government’s Opportunity Mission, which will break the unfair link between background and opportunity – starting with giving every child the best start in life and resetting the relationship with the early years sector to boost life chances for children and work choices for parents.  Primary schools can now apply for up to £150,000 of funding. More information here .   Car Insurance  We have also announced a taskforce to tackle the high cost of car insurance – a major step forward in getting a fair deal for UK drivers by rooting out factors that increase costs for the car insurance industry. Find out more here .  Telegraph Poles In the Chamber asking a question about broadband poles It was great to intervene in Laurence Turner MP’s adjournment debate in Parliament this week about telegraph poles. In my constituency, unscrupulous providers like Brsk have been needlessly erecting unsightly broadband poles on roads when there is already good connectivity. In one case, residents have told me there are five different broadband poles that have gone up on one single road despite there being no prior connectivity issue.   Where possible, these providers should be using existing infrastructure or building underground. I asked Laurence Turner MP if he agreed with me that providers shouldn’t be behaving like this and that the rollout should be strategically focused and prioritised.  Co-operative Party Event Chairing a discussion at the Co-operative Change showcase Over the weekend, it was great to chair the Co-operative Change showcase in Manchester. It was wonderful to hear from brilliant speakers, including Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, about how we plan to deliver on our co-operatives aims locally and in government, such as doubling the size of the co-operative sector.  It was really promising to see new MPs committed to our community energy, community power and community growth initiatives. I’m also so excited to be working with 43 new co-operators who showcased over the weekend why co-operative solutions matter and how they can make a difference for our communities. Diwali Enjoying the Diwali event It was brilliant to attend the Diwali celebration hosted by the British Fashion Council and Bags of Ethics at the Royal Automobile Club. It was a lovely chance to celebrate the festival of lights and South Asian craft, culture and fashion.  Women's Faith Forum Event Together at the Women's Faith Forum event in Parliament This week, it was great to speak at the Women’s Faith Forum event in Parliament to mark Hate Crime Awareness Week.   It’s completely unacceptable that when I speak up as a Sikh woman, along with female faith leaders, I remain an easy target of hate simply because of my gender.   While division is seeping across society, women’s interfaith work is now more important than ever. It’s vital that we come together to tackle the rise in hatred that we are seeing in our communities.  Breast Cancer Screening  At the Breast Cancer Now Parliamentary drop-in It was great to meet Breast Cancer Now in Parliament and their supporters who help to fund life-changing breast cancer research.   Breast screening is crucial for saving women’s lives from breast cancer. I am urging more women in Birmingham, Edgbaston to get tested.  Prostate Cancer At the prostate cancer Parliamentary drop-in Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK – every year, over 12,000 men die as a result of the disease.  It was good to meet with Prostate Cancer UK and thank them for the work they are doing to raise awareness and address health inequalities and late diagnosis. I would strongly encourage more men in Birmingham, Edgbaston to get tested.  Kinship Carers At the Kinship Carers Parliamentary drop-in It was great to meet Kinship Carers in Parliament today. As an ex-children's services manager, I have seen first-hand the positive impact of placing children in the care of family members.    Downing Street Outside No. 10! It was also great to join colleagues in Downing Street this week. It was great to talk about bringing communities together, what we’ve learnt from the General Election and how a Labour government can deliver in our constituencies.  Private Schools With head teachers and representatives from constituency private schools It was good to meet up with headteachers and representatives from private schools in the constituency this week. Local News Harborne Day Centre I'm extremely disappointed to hear that Birmingham City Council has voted to close down Harborne Day Centre in my constituency. The centre is a lifeline to the carers and users, many of whom have complex care needs and require services that cannot be provided elsewhere. I will be working with carers and residents to fight its closure and to secure a viable solution for our community. You can read my full statement below. Warm Homes Discount Our Labour government is committed to ensuring that nobody is left struggling this winter. That's why this week we've launched the Warm Home Discount Scheme, a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill. You can find out if you're eligible for this payment here .  If you require any additional help with paying your energy bills or finding out which schemes you may be eligible for, please get in touch with my office by contacting 0121 392 8426.    Jo Cox Leadership Scheme   Applications for Cohort 7 of the Jo Cox Leadership  Scheme are now open! Any Labour woman member with a year’s party membership can apply.   I learnt so much during my time on the Jo Cox Leadership Scheme, and those who mentored me undoubtedly helped me to get where I am today. I met outstanding women from all parts of the labour movement, from councillors to trade unionists, many of whom have gone on to do great things.  I’d encourage anyone interested to find out more about the programme and how to apply here . CCMA There is an upcoming public consultation on the City Centre Movement and Access (CCMA) strategy. The Consultation will remain open until Monday 18th November 2024.    Tranch 2 focuses on proposals on Broad Street and the A38 Weaving sections. Please visit the Birmingham Be Heard website for further details about the proposals and to respond to the online survey here . Events Next Tuesday, 22nd October, City Road Methodist Church is hosting a Black History Lunch, including live poetry, Carribean food and stories of black heritage.  Lunch is served from 12pm – 2pm at Your Money Your Way Hub, Selwyn Road, B16 0NL (Back of City Road Methodist Church).  Best wishes, Preet Kaur Gill MP Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton

In Parliament This week, Labour is delivering on its manifesto pledges within our first 100 days in government. We are working hard to fix the foundations of our country so that we can deliver for working people and give Britain its future back.  This week saw the Second Reading of the Renter's Rights Bill. The Bill seeks to: End no-fault evictions Ban rental bidding wars  Give renters the right to request a pet  Set a decent home standard The first reading of our new Employment Rights Bill took place. The Bill seeks to:  End exploitative zero-hour contracts  End unscrupulous fire and rehire practices  Strengthen statutory sick pay  Tackle low pay by accounting for the cost of living when setting the National Minimum Wage and removing discriminatory age bands  Labour is pro-business and pro-worker and will be undertaking consultation on these reforms. This week, we secured a £500m investment from The Go-Ahead Group to deliver 1,200 UK-made green buses, cleaner air, support 2,500 UK jobs and better journeys across the country. More information here . Next Monday, we are hosting an International Investment Summit, bringing together up to 300 industry leaders to catalyse investment in the UK. This Government's number one mission is growth. More information here . This week, I voted to end no-fault evictions. It was wonderful to welcome students from King Edwards in Parliament and discuss a wide range of issues, from renters' rights, international development, the role of an MP, SEND provision, immigration and the ongoing conflict and the Middle East.   I attended the reception for Advancing Skills in Manufacturing and Tackling Youth Unemployment in the East and West Midlands, where I met with my constituent Michaela. The Midlands is a region full of pioneers with manufacturing at its heart that is crucial for the UK’s overall economic growth. I’m looking forward to working with a Labour Government, Labour Mayor and Labour Council to deliver on the growth our region deserves.  I met with CAMRA on behalf of my constituents, who campaign for pubs and brewers. Pubs and breweries are integral to our communities and support the local economy. Our constituency has lots of great pubs. We discussed Labour's plans on business rate reforms. I enjoyed meeting with the National Lottery in Westminster this week. The National Lottery has funded over 1,119 community projects in my constituency, donating a total of £69,921,934 to good causes from 1994 to 2024. Community projects looking for funding see the link here: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding   Ahead of the Second Reading of Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill, I met with the Renter's Reform Coalition. We discussed Labour’s plans to ban no-fault evictions and introduce the decent homes standard.  I enjoyed speaking to the Back Youth Alliance in Parliament, a group of 11 organisations who deliver youth services nationwide, advocating for young people across statutory and voluntary sectors. It was also great to catch up with Girlguiding and a group of young Brownies! Girlguiding do great work around body confidence, the representation of girls and women in media and politics, education, violence against  women and girls, young people’s mental health and more.  This week we celebrated International Day of the Girl. It has been great to hear about the UK's largest survey of girls and young women aged 7-21 - the girl's attitude survey. I also really enjoyed catching up with my constituents Fiona and Simon after they watched Prime Minister’s Questions from the gallery this week!  US Embassy This week, I attended a wonderful welcome reception hosted by the US Ambassador Jane D. Hartley alongside other Labour MPs.   Our shared values and interests, and a dedication to democratic, transparent institutions will see greater co-operation between the UK and US.  University of Birmingham It was great to speak to students taking the Parliamentary Studies Module at the University of Birmingham. I enjoyed telling them about my role as an MP and answering questions they had about Parliament and politics. October 7th Last Monday marked one year since the deadly October 7th attacks.  One year on we remember those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Israel on October 7th. I met the families of the hostages whose loved ones are still held captive by Hamas. They are desperate for their release.   I am praying for lasting peace in the Middle East and an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.  Local News Clapgate Lane This week, I was heartbroken to hear that yet another person had been seriously injured after a collision on Clapgate Lane.  This has got to stop. Everyone has a right to feel safe when using our roads. I've been calling for the council to install average speed cameras on Clapgate Lane and other dangerous roads to tackle reckless driving for years. See my latest letter to the council below.   Illeybrook Square Labour is committed to addressing the housing crisis by building 1.5 million new homes. I've written to the Housing Minister to work with me and the council to develop the Illeybrook Square site in Bartley Green, so we can deliver affordable homes for my constituents. Harborne Police Station I've written to Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster about the closure of Harborne Police Station.   Given the financial position that the police face, I understand the choice is between retaining buildings or retaining more officers. While I and residents would have wanted to maintain Harborne Station, I understand that that is not going to happen.   On behalf of residents, I have asked Simon Foster to ensure me that this site is clearly earmarked for housing development. Transforming this space into much-needed affordable housing would provide a valuable asset to the local community, helping to meet the growing demand for family homes in the area with designated parking. See my letter below.  HS2 This week, our Transport Secretary rightly said that HS2 should run into central London - it would never have made sense to leave it between Old Oak Common and Birmingham.  HS2 has the power to bring growth and infrastructure to Birmingham. As a city MP, the above statement from the Transport Secretary is a welcome one.   Doorknocking  It was great to be out doorknocking in North Edgbaston this week. I am out speaking to residents in the constituency every week about the issues that matter to them.      I am always here to help. If there is anything I can assist you with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with my office by calling 0121 392 8426 or emailing preet.gill.mp@parliament.uk .      I am also always looking for volunteers to help with my campaigns across the constituency. If you can help me, please send us an email at preet@preetkaurgill.co.uk .  Best wishes, Preet Kaur Gill MP Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton

This week, our Labour government has committed to one of the biggest investments in growth, jobs and clean energy across the UK in years.  We have committed to major funding for 2 carbon capture sites in the industrial heartlands of the North West and North East of England. This will inject growth into those areas, directly creating 4,000 jobs and supporting 50,000 jobs in the long-term while powering up the rest of the country.  With the tides of industry turning before us, now is the time to invest in the jobs and technology of the future.   Our ambitious growth plans include reforming our planning rules to build the railways, roads, labs and 1.5 million homes we need, creation of the new National Wealth Fund to invest in the industries for the future, and Great British Energy to accelerate the transition to Clean Power.  The UK is hosting an International Investment Summit on 14th October, driving forward our national mission for growth. This summit will make clear that the UK is “open for business” and create thousands of jobs in this country.  Local News Early adopters Breakfast clubs boost attendance, attainment  and life chances. That’s why our Labour government will roll them out across all primary schools.   The Chancellor has announced that schools can apply for funding this year. I’d encourage schools in Birmingham, Edgbaston to sign up and become an early adopter. You can find more information here .  West Midlands Business Fair It’s great that our Mayor Richard Parker has announced a major new festival for the business community in the West Midlands.   I want to see growth in our region. This is an opportunity for businesses to be part of that, creating good quality jobs, especially for young people. More info here .   West Midlands Investment Zone  The delivery of the flagship West Midlands Investment Zone is underway, with the announcement of a £14.5m funding package for our region.  This funding package will attract new companies to the region and reignite the economic growth the West Midlands has long been waiting for.  More info here . Martineau Gardens I’m pleased to hear that Martineau Gardens in Edgbaston has been awarded a £5,000 Tesco Stronger Starts Golden Grant to deliver a local project in our constituency.    Groups can apply or be nominated for the Stronger Starts programme and receive funding for community projects  here. HMO I'm glad that the council has refused the application to turn 2 Wyndham Road in my constituency into an HMO. The area around the property in North Edgbaston is already highly saturated with HMOs.   I objected to this application on behalf of residents in September. Thank you to all the residents who took part in the council’s consultation.  MHWC  Next Friday, the MHWC will be visiting Selwyn Road in North Edgbaston, B16 0HN. The centre will be open from 7:30am to 1pm, so please do come along if you have bulky household waste to dispose of.  Casework Last month, I helped just under 1,000 constituents with a variety of issues, spanning from housing and crime, to policy queries. I am out in the constituency knocking on doors every week speaking to constituents about the issues that matter to them.   I am always here to help. If there is anything I can assist you with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with my office by calling 0121 392 8426 or emailing preet.gill.mp@parliament.uk .   Best wishes, Preet Kaur Gill MP Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton

Hundreds of thousands of parents of children from nine months old take up new 15 hours of early education this month, following rollout from Labour government    From this month, hundreds of thousands of eligible working parents of children from 9-months-old can access 15 hours of government-funded early education per week, following the successful rollout by the Labour government.    For parents of primary school aged children, new “wraparound” childcare places will be available before and after school, sounding the starting gun on Labour’s long-term reform to deliver an early education and childcare system from the end of parental leave to the end of primary school, boosting parents’ work choices and children’s life chances.     This comes as the government looks ahead to delivering the expansion of 30 hours funded from September 2025.     Labour is now taking the action needed to help deliver the additional places needed and will set out further plans to deliver the government’s commitment to use primary school classrooms to create new nurseries.     Preet Kaur Gill, MP for Birmingham, Edgbaston, said:    “I welcome the government’s expanded childcare offer to help working parents.   “Labour inherited a pledge without a plan, but we have put our shoulder to the wheel to fulfil the promises made to parents. Given the deterioration of early years by the last Conservative government, I welcome the Labour government’s offer supporting children and families in Birmingham, Edgbaston.”    “Parents returning to work without worrying about childcare is important.”    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:      “I’ve already said that early years is my number one priority. That’s why we are delivering the childcare rollout I know will be such a help to hard-pressed parents, with 15 hours of early education per week for 9-month-olds and above from next week, alongside more wraparound childcare for school children.     “This inherited plan comes with significant delivery challenges - I must warn that for some parents it will not be plain sailing - and while I am excited to see children starting nursery for the first time, or parents being able to increase their working hours, the work for government starts now.     “Over the next year, I will be working flat out with my team to ensure the next phase of the rollout is possible - doubling parents’ childcare entitlements to 30 hours a week.”     Jason Elsom, Chief Executive of Parentkind said:      “We welcome all help for families to ease the burden on family finances at a time when many families are really struggling.      “Parents tell us that childcare costs are a major concern, and they support action to bring costs down and help families at that crucial time between the end of maternity leave and previous financial support kicking in. It is right we do everything we can to support parents, particularly when children are young.”

This week, our new Labour government has been busy setting its agenda for getting a grip on the problems we face and giving Britain its future back.  The Home Secretary has announced that protection zones around abortion clinics will come into force throughout the country, because no woman should ever have to face intimidation for going to a healthcare appointment. From 31 October, attempts to influence the decisions of abortion service users or employees within a 150m radius of a clinic will become illegal.  Our ne w Labour government has also agreed a deal with junior doctors to end 18 months of strikes. After 14 years of Tory neglect of our NHS, Labour is taking action to cut waiting lists and reform our broken health service.  Keir Starmer has also appointed a new Border Security Commander, Martin Hewitt, to tackle the smuggling gangs who trade the lives of men, women and children across borders.  We won’t lose sight of what we were elected to do. An economy that works for everyone. An NHS not just back on its feet but fit for the future. Streets that everyone feels safe in. No longer dependent on foreign dictators because we’re producing our own clean energy. And giving every child – from whatever their background the chance - to go as far as their talents will take them.  Exempt accommodation This week, I penned an op-ed about exempt accommodation on the back of my debate in Parliament.   In my constituency, residents and I worked with the police to get an exempt property, Saif Lodge in North Edgbaston, shut down. The property was overcrowded and terribly managed, and local residents regularly complained of antisocial behaviour linked to the site.    The case of Saif Lodge showed that when we let down vulnerable adults, whole communities can suffer as a result. I’m calling for the government to get on with the job of reforming the exempt sector, so that rogue landlords cannot continue to exploit the current system and provide substandard levels of care for a profit.  You can read my full article here:  You can watch my full speech here:  Child Poverty This week, Birmingham Live published a harrowing piece into the shockingly high rate of child poverty in our city. As an ex-children's services manager in the city, I have seen the real consequences that drastic Conservative local budget cuts over the last decade have had on children’s living standards, opportunities and mental and physical health.  It’s appalling that in Edgbaston constituency, child poverty has increased from 18.2% to 30% in just 10 years. I welcome the new Labour government prioritising tackling this stain on our society by setting up a new Child Poverty Taskforce, which is designed to improve children’s lives and life chances now and address the root causes of child poverty in the long term.  The report also raises serious concerns about poor-quality housing, health inequalities, the intersection between ethnicity and poverty, and the increasing number of children being pulled into crime. Over the next Parliament, I will be working closely with this new Labour government to tackle these issues head on to reduce child poverty, improve equality and increase opportunity for all children regardless of their background.  Local News Libraries This week, I attended the in-person consultation about the future of Bartley Green library. I am fighting to save all the libraries in my constituency – Harborne, Quinton and Bartley Green.   I would encourage all residents and interested community groups to feed into the council’s live libraries consultation. You can complete the survey here:  Next Tuesday, in-person consultations are also happening in Harborne and Quinton. The times of those are below:  Harborne Library: Tuesday 24th September, 10:30 to midday.  Quinton Library: Tuesday 24th September, 15:00 to 16:30.   Harborne Day Centre It was great to visit Harborne Day Centre and meet the people who use this facility. The centre is a lifeline for our most vulnerable residents. I will be working with carers to make sure that we have a viable service in Harborne that works for those who need it. Speeding This week in Edgbaston, we have seen two more serious accidents caused by dangerous driving. A man was hospitalised after being hit by a car at the junction of Pershore Road and Sir Harrys Road, and a serious crash occurred on Bristol Road.  Tackling speeding and dangerous driving is absolutely an emergency and a top priority for my constituents. I have today written to the council demanding average speed cameras be installed on dangerous roads in my constituency.  See my letter to the council above. West Midlands Police I’m glad to see that West Midlands Police is now out of special measures. The Chief Constable, Craig Guildford, has done a spectacular job to turn around the force in such little time. I look forward to working with the force to continue to make improvements and fight for resources.  Pension Credit  I know many of my constituents have written to me concerned about paying energy bills this winter.   If you are struggling with your bills, I will support you to receive any of the support to which you are entitled. I know that there is a poor take-up of Pension Credit among those entitled to it, with nearly 40% of pensioners in Edgbaston who should be receiving this benefit missing out.   Please do check if you are eligible for pension credit if you think you or a family member may be eligible. The simplest way to check eligibility is to visit https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim  or by calling 0800 99 1234 (the Pension Credit claim line is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).  The Household Support Fund has also been extended for the next six months, representing a £421 million boost for local authorities in England to help people most in need with the cost of their energy, food and water. You can find out more about how to apply to the Household Support Fund by visiting https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50274/cost_of_living_support/2497/household_support_fund_2023_to_2024 . To express your interest in this payment, you can also call 0121 634 7100.   If you have any questions or need any further help, please contact me directly on 0121 392 8426, or email me at preet.gill.mp@parliament.uk . If you would like us to call you instead, please provide your phone number and we will be happy to do so.  MHWC Next Wednesday, 25th September, the MHWC will be visiting Waterworks Road, B16 9DB, in North Edgbaston. The centre will be open from 07:30 to 13:00, so please do come along if you have bulky household waste to dispose of.  Best wishes, Preet Kaur Gill MP Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton

This week, the new Labour government has delivered yet another packed agenda in Parliament.  After 40 years of failed deregulation and falling passenger numbers, we are putting power over bus services back into the hands of local leaders and communities.   We have introduced our Budget Responsibility Bill, which will make sure that there can never be a repeat of Liz Truss’ disastrous mini-budget.   We have brought new protections for renters and banned no fault evictions for good.   Our Prime Minister Keir Starmer has set out his 10-year plan to rebuild our NHS for good, committing to work with NHS staff, experts and patients to deliver the biggest reimagining of the NHS since its birth. You can read the Darzi report here .  Keir Starmer has also set up a new Coalition to Tackle Knife crime, bringing together politicians, families of victims, young people and community leaders to drive forward Labour’s mission to take back our streets and half knife crime in the next decade.  Exempt debate This week, I secured a debate on exempt accommodation, after years of dealing with various issues linked to these properties across the constituency.  In 2021, I conducted a spot check of an exempt property housing vulnerable residents – Saif Lodge – in North Edgbaston and was horrified what I found. I discovered 25 men and women, including ex-offenders, housed with severe issues ranging from addiction and substance misuse to mental health problems with only one support worker on duty. The hostel was manned only on weekdays, and the conditions were cold, filthy and cramped.   I was then successful in working with the community and the police to shut Saif Lodge down. Although, there are still so many properties currently operating in conditions similar to Saif Lodge. Over the past decade, too many bad landlords have been getting into this sector for precisely the wrong reasons. They have exploited under-regulation, a Conservative housing crisis, and an epidemic of unmet need after years of council cuts.  I called this debate because after years of inaction and stalled progress under the previous government, I’m keen now to see fit for purpose regulations introduced to finally deal with this issue.  You can watch my full speech here:  APNA Conference It was great to speak at the Apna NHS conference today at the University of Warwick.  It's really important that we work together to tackle workplace and health inequalities in the NHS.  World School Milk Day  It was great to meet with Dr Hilary Jones and School Milk Alliance and hear about the benefits milk has for children. It is good for children’s oral health, provides essential nutrients for a growing child, and can assist with obesity.  Fairtrade  It was great to meet with Fairtrade this week in Parliament. As a Labour & Co- op MP, I am committed to doing everything I can to make sure trade, development and climate policies contribute to a fairer future that benefits all.  Coalition for Global Prosperity It was nice to chat to Coalition for Global Prosperity in Parliament this week. I’m very glad to see the government working to restore Britain’s reputation on the world stage.  Local News Speeding Statistics published this week have identified Hagley Road, Bristol Road, Ridgacre Road and Shenley Lane as some of the worst roads in Birmingham  for speeding drivers.   I know that for so many of my constituents, speeding is a serious concern and residents do not feel safe. We urgently need more measures in place to prevent reckless driving.  Everyone should be able to feel safe on our roads. I am working with leaders in our city and region to address this.  Pension credit  I know many of my constituents have written to me concerned about paying energy bills this winter.   If you are struggling with your bills, I will support you to receive any of the support to which you are entitled. I know that there is a poor take-up of Pension Credit among those entitled to it, with nearly 40% of pensioners in Edgbaston who should be receiving this benefit missing out.   Please do check if you are eligible for pension credit if you think you or a family member may be eligible. The simplest way to check eligibility is to visit https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim  or by calling 0800 99 1234 (the Pension Credit claim line is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).  The Household Support Fund has also been extended for the next six months, representing a £421 million boost for local authorities in England to help people most in need with the cost of their energy, food and water. You can find out more about how to apply to the Household Support Fund by visiting https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50274/cost_of_living_support/2497/household_support_fund_2023_to_2024 . To express your interest in this payment, you can also call 0121 634 7100.   If you have any questions or need any further help, please contact me directly on 0121 392 8426, or email me at preet.gill.mp@parliament.uk . If you would like us to call you instead, please provide your phone number and we will be happy to do so.  MHWC On Tuesday, 17th September, the MHWC will be visiting Shipbourne Close, Harborne, B32 2LH. The centre will be open between 7:30am and 1pm, so please do come along if you have bulky household waste to dispose of.    Childcare  From September, parents with a child from age 9-months-old will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare support. Applications are now open. Find out more by following the link below.  Advice surgeries There have been some updates to my advice surgeries. Please consult the new list below. Best wishes, Preet Kaur Gill MP Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton

Birmingham, Edgbaston MP Preet Kaur Gill has today - 10th September 2024 - called a debate in Parliament on exempt accommodation, after years of dealing with various issues linked to these properties across the constituency. This debate comes as Birmingham City Council reveals that it has cancelled 2,674 exempt claims in just the last couple of years. Exempt accommodation is a type of supported accommodation that is often used for people with very few housing options, such as prison leavers, rough sleepers, and those experiencing substance misuse issues. Birmingham has the highest number of non-commissioned exempt accommodation in the country, with nearly 28,000 exempt claims across more than 9,000 properties. The sector is also ballooning in the city - in 2018 there were just 11,000 exempt claims. This has attracted unscrupulous providers coming into the market and has had the consequence of distorting the local housing market in Birmingham, with the buying up of family homes to be converted into exempt. In Birmingham, there have been various issues linked to exempt properties, and many of the city’s largest providers have been issued regulatory notices by the social housing regulator in recent years. Birmingham City Council’s records also back up the concerns raised by MPs and residents. The council states it has initiated 80 adult safeguarding reviews, and logged 1,700 community safety investigations and 48 arrests. £7.23 million has been recouped by the council in over-claimed Housing Benefit. In 2021, Preet Kaur Gill worked with the police and residents to get the first problematic exempt accommodation closed down in the country - Saif Lodge in North Edgbaston. After an explosion of antisocial behaviour in the area, Gill carried out a spot check of the property. On that inspection, she discovered 25 men and women, including ex-offenders, housed with severe issues ranging from addiction and substance misuse to mental health problems. Only one support worker was on duty, the hostel was manned only on weekdays, and the conditions were cold, filthy and cramped. Many exempt properties in Birmingham function similarly to Saif Lodge. As it stands, exempt properties are only required to provide a “more than minimal” level of “care, support and supervision”. Preet Kaur Gill MP is calling for the new government to introduce strengthened regulations to ensure that rogue landlords are not able to rake in profits at residents’ and the taxpayer’s expense. At present, this is loosely defined in legislation and many providers are getting away with providing substandard support. Preet Kaur Gill is calling for the government to consult and introduce fit for purpose regulations quickly, so that unscrupulous providers are unable to provide substandard levels of care to vulnerable individuals, and communities are protected from unchecked antisocial behaviour. Preet Kaur Gill, MP for Birmingham, Edgbaston, said: “Over the past decade, too many bad landlords have been getting into this sector for precisely the wrong reasons. They have exploited under-regulation, a Conservative housing crisis, and an epidemic of unmet need after years of council cuts. “Our communities in Birmingham deserve neighbourhoods that are peaceful and safe, not epicentres of antisocial behaviour. “I have called this debate to ask this new government to get on with the urgent task of reforming the exempt supported accommodation sector, where the previous government dithered and delayed.” ENDS Notes Exempt Accommodation Westminster Hall Debate, 10th September 2024, 4:30pm. Watch live:   https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Commons Data on exempt properties from July 2024 provided by Birmingham City Council: Housing Inspection Team •        HHSRS Inspections •        Eviction Prevented  •        Cat 1s & Cat 2s   2829 32 Cat 1 - 6068 - 97% removed. Cat 2 – 4764 - 97% removed Properties Decommissioned 73 Adult Social Care  •       Support plan reviews •       Safeguarding reviews   2057 80 Community Safety  • Investigations • Community Protection Warning • Evictions • Arrests   1700 31 554 48 Planning Enforcement    Inspections Enforcement actions   355 22 Revenue and Benefits HB overpayments reclaimed. 2-6 months Support reviews Cancelled due lack of care, support supervision. Cancelled vacated   £7.23m 34597 2674   17443

This week, our Labour Government delivered the most packed legislative agenda for a change of government in decades.  We are full of energy, full of ideas, and keen to deliver our mandate for change. Labour in government is acting quickly and passing the laws we urgently need to fix the foundations of our country.  This week, in the Commons, we introduced:  · Budget Responsibility Bill  · Great British Energy Bill  · High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill  · Holocaust Memorial Bill  · Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill  These bills will help us deliver the change people voted for on 4th July, such as by bringing rail operators into public ownership, tackling the root cause of our energy crisis, and establishing a fiscal lock which will deliver economic stability and ensure the disastrous ‘mini-budget’ can never happen again.  Over the coming months, the Government will be honest with the British people about the state our country is in, and at the same time work to tackle our biggest and most urgent issues, deliver on our promises and restore politics to service.  Grenfell Inquiry This week, the final phase of the Grenfell inquiry was published, highlighting serious failures among national and local politicians, builders, material manufacturers and salespeople, fire-testing experts and the London fire brigade.  The publication of these findings is a landmark moment. We must never forget the 72 people who lost their lives because of the systematic dishonesty of companies coupled with years of government failure. In my constituency, residents living on the Hemisphere Estate are still stuck living in unsafe, flammable homes while they wait for remediation work. It’s shocking when you think of the risks my constituents have had to face while waiting for progress. I welcome the Prime Minister setting out his government’s commitment to some immediate steps to ensure those trapped in dangerous accommodation see the justice they deserve. It’s vital that the remediation progress for people trapped in unsafe accommodation, like my constituents in Hemisphere, is sped up, and companies attempting to evade responsibility for creating this nightmare are forced into action.  Read my full press release here: SEND Debate This week, I applied for a debate on SEND provision.   The system that children with SEND have inherited from the last government is truly broken. My constituent, Chloe, has a 12-year-old son with SEND. When she contacted me in July, her son had been out of school since October 2023 after months and months spent attempting to get her child into a special school. As of this week, she has still not heard back from the council on her case.  To give her son an education, she has been homeschooling him, working 2-3 nights a week while looking after him in the days. Too many of my constituents are going through circumstances like Chloe’s due to the shortage of accessible SEND provision.  I hope that with the new government’s Children’s Wellbeing Bill we will see meaningful consultation with affected families and an announcement of funding to go with this in the forthcoming budget, so councils have the resources they need to deal with the huge increase in demand for Education, Health and Care Plans for SEND pupils.  50:50 Parliament Politics Home has done a write up of the 50:50 Parliament “Welcome to Parliament” event that I spoke at, spotlighting women’s health.  Women’s health simply does not get the attention it deserves. More attention must be particularly paid to the disparities in access to healthcare that especially affect women from minority communities.    You can read the full article here:  Local News St Germain's Community Hub On Thursdays 9:30am to 10:30am, St Germain’s Community Hub are hosting fully funded courses for new mothers, covering topics such as when to start weaning, first foods, traditional and baby-led weaning, recipe ideas and much more.  There are 12 places available for parents/carers of babies under 12 months old. You can sign up by calling 07511935716 or emailing rose@germains.org.uk .   The community hub is also hosting a wellbeing drop-in session on Mondays 11:30am to 2:30pm. It’s totally free and offers mental health support, advice, and wellbeing activities and workshops.  Address: St Germain’s Church, City Road, Edgbaston, B17 8LE.  Queen Elizabeth Hospital The Queen Elizabeth Hospital has started scanning all blood tests for HIV and hepatitis to assist with early detection.  This is a great initiative that will save lives and save money for the NHS.  MHWC On Tuesday, 17th September, the MHWC will be visiting Shipbourne Close, Harborne, B32 2LH. The centre will be open between 7:30am and 1pm, so please do come along if you have bulky household waste to dispose of.    Childcare  From September, parents with a child from age 9-months-old will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare support. Applications are now open. Find out more by following the link below.  Advice surgeries There have been some updates to my advice surgeries. Please consult the new list below. Best wishes, Preet Kaur Gill MP Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton

Thank you Mr Betts, It is an honour to serve under your chairmanship. Let me thank the member for Leeds East for securing this important debate. I also want to put on record that I welcome the Children’s Wellbeing Bill announced in the King’s Speech.   I want to start by citing the case of one of my constituents, Chloe – who contacted me in July. She managed to get an EHCP for her 12-year-old son last year. Since then, she has been in a constant battle with the city council to get a school placement. She wanted specialist provision but did not get it. Her son lasted just 6 and a half days in mainstream before she was advised to pull him out of that school. In June, she had to go to tribunal. The judge ruled her son needed a special school. For months, she has been trying to get a response from the council to even acknowledge her case. When she contacted me in July, her son had been out of school since October 2023. To give her son an education, she has been homeschooling him, working 2-3 nights a week while looking after him in the days. She told me this was having an impact on her son’s anxiety as well as her own mental health. As of this week, I have still not heard back from the Council.   Mr Betts, Chloe’s story is just one of dozens of cases I and my team are dealing with, that shows that the current special educational needs and disabilities system is broken. I mention Chloe’s story because it is reflective of the sad state of affairs across the country:   ·      There has been a 250% increase in appeals to the SEND Tribunal since 2015, with 97% of cases awarded in the favour of parents.   ·      Over 20% of students are recorded as ‘persistently absent’.   ·      There has been an increase of 33,485 students attending alternative provision and special schools since 2015.   ·      And increasing numbers of Local Authorities are unable to fulfil their statutory SEND requirements and are experiencing associated financial unsustainability.    As an ex-children’s services manager in Birmingham, I am particularly concerned about the decimation of early years services under the previous government. We need to think more about how we get children ready for school, identify special educational needs early, so we can provide that child the support they deserve. Children with SEND who are being locked out of education are being consigned to a bleak future. That isn’t acceptable.   I know that the previous Government’s SEND and Alternative Provision (AP) Improvement Plan was an attempt to address some of these challenges. But it did not address the root causes of the current issues, in part because it ignored thousands of consultation responses. As such, it offers only a piecemeal response to this crisis which is leaving too many families without the support they need. I hope that with the new government’s Bill we will see meaningful consultation with affected families, and an announcement of funding to go with this in the forthcoming budget, so councils have the resources they need to deal with the huge increase in demand for ECHPs. There are not enough special schools in Birmingham; mainstream schools frequently don’t have the resources to support children with complex needs, and so often, when children’s needs are not identified and responded to early on, they are set back for years at a critical stage in the development, with their parents left to pick up the pieces. As this new government seeks to deliver on its mission to break down the barriers to opportunity, I hope that the Minister will have firmly in her mind people like my constituent Chloe and her son, who deserve much better than the broken system left by the last government.

Edgbaston MP comments on the findings from today’s landmark report into the causes of the Grenfell disaster 4th September 2024 – Today, the final phase of the Grenfell Inquiry was published, highlighting serious failures among national and local politicians, builders, material manufacturers and salespeople, fire-testing experts and the London fire brigade. The report comes more than seven years on from the Grenfell disaster, in which 72 people lost their lives in the deadliest residential building fire since the Second World War. The report has wide-reaching implications for the 4,630 residential buildings identified with unsafe cladding whose remediation progression is being monitored. Of those buildings, less than 30% have completed remediation works.   A key conclusion from the inquiry is that the remediation progress for properties with unsafe cladding remains too slow. One of the buildings affected by unsafe cladding is The Hemisphere Estate in Edgbaston. Residents are still waiting for flammable, unsafe cladding to be removed from their homes, more than seven years after the Grenfell disaster. The Labour Government’s position is that industry actors that profited from the events leading up to the building safety crisis should pay to fix the problems they created. Preet Kaur Gill, MP for Birmingham, Edgbaston, was instrumental in pushing for the Building Safety Fund to kickstart remediation for affected buildings, including the multimillion-pound award for Hemisphere.  However, residents at Hemisphere are still trapped in their unsafe homes while they wait for vital remedial works to be completed. At every stage of the remediation process developers Redrow have avoided responsibility for the cladding, even going as far as taking the government to court to avoid paying remediation costs. In a Judicial Review, Redrow took the government to court after challenging the lawfulness of a decision for the firm to reimburse money awarded through the government’s Building Safety Fund. Gill’s constituents had to wait nearly 18 months for this legal process to end, despite scaffolding being up since August 2023. Residents say their mental health has been severely impacted by being forced to live in unsafe apartments, and others state that their flats remain unsellable until remedial works take place. Preet Kaur Gill has been working closely with residents to speed up the works. She met with the Minister to call for a faster remedial process and hosted a Birmingham Cladding Scandal Summit in 2021.  Preet Kaur Gill, MP for Birmingham, Edgbaston, said: “The publication of the findings from the final phase of the Grenfell inquiry is a landmark moment. We must never forget the 72 people who lost their lives because of the systematic dishonesty of companies coupled with years of government failure. “It’s shocking when you think of the risks my constituents have had to face while waiting for these essential works. “I welcome the Prime Minister setting out his government’s commitment to some immediate steps to ensure those trapped in unsafe accommodation see the justice they deserve. It’s vital that the remediation progress for people trapped in unsafe accommodation, like my constituents in Hemisphere, is sped up, and companies attempting to evade responsibility for creating this nightmare are forced into action.”

This week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer set out how he plans to fix the foundations of our country.  The riots that took place this month have exposed the state of our country. Our society is creaking, weakened by a decade of division and decline and infected by a spiral of populism. That’s what Labour inherited from the last government, and it’s why we must do things differently.  To rebuild our country, we must be honest with people about the choices we face and how tough this will be. Some things will get worse before they get better, but tough action needs to be taken to fix the country at its foundations.   Labour is committed to putting politics back in the service of working people. We won’t lose sight of what we have been elected to do, and most importantly, we won’t lose sight of the people that we were elected to do it for.  “This is our country. Let’s fix it – together" - Prime Minister Keir Starmer. You can watch Keir's full speech here: M5 Trees This week, I spoke to ITV Central about the ongoing ombudsman investigation into Highways England’s decision to cut down over 100 trees along the M5 in Quinton.  It's a scandal that Highways England cut down around 100 trees in Quinton when only a handful needed to be felled. Residents have told me that they cannot sleep or open their windows due to the disruption caused by the motorway. It is shocking and reckless that Highways took this decision without consulting residents and has failed to communicate with them throughout this process.  On Thursday, I met with the Parliamentary ombudsman to discuss their findings and feed into their investigation. I’m really glad that the ombudsman is looking into this case and look forward to reading the report and recommendations once published.  Read the ITV write up for more info below:   Afghan Women  This week, I spoke to Times Radio about the plight of women and girls, foreign aid and role of the international community in Afghanistan.  This month, the Taliban passed an abhorrent set of so-called “vice and virtue laws”. Under new restrictions, women are required to cover their bodies and faces fully with thick clothing in public, are not allowed to let their voices be heard in public, even from within their own homes, including by singing or reading aloud, and are forbidden from looking directly at men who are not direct members of their family.  This is another tragic setback for women and girls in Afghanistan. The international community must continue to stand up for Afghan women and ensure that aid is reaching those who need it the most.  Local News Bartley Green Incident I was shocked and deeply concerned to hear that there was a shooting on Wednesday night on Clapgate Lane. Police reports state two people were seriously injured.     This will likely be distressing news. Everyone has a right to feel safe and secure in their communities.   The police have opened an investigation and are carrying out CCTV enquiries and appealing to anyone who was in the area at around 5pm on the 28th August to get in touch.      You can contact the West Midlands Police using their Live Chat service via their website or by calling 101 quoting log 3404 of 28 August.    Dudley Road Incident I was also deeply distressed to hear that there was a stabbing on Dudley Road over the bank holiday weekend. The victim is stable.   The police are still enquiring and anyone with information should get in touch via Live Chat on their website or by calling 101 quoting log 265.  City Road Lights  It's vital our children can make their way to school safely. That's why I'm glad to have worked with the council to fix the warning lights outside City Road Primary School in North Edgbaston.  If you notice any further issues or have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am here to listen and take action on the matters that are most important to you.  Neighbour Night  On Wednesday 4th September 6pm to 8pm there is a neighbours night at Memorial Hall, Summerfield Crescent B16 0EZ. Bring your food contributions to share; coffee and tea are provided.  Childcare  From September, parents with a child from age 9-months-old will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare support. Applications are now open. Find out more by following the link below.  MHWC Next Wednesday, 4th September, the MHWC will be visiting Clapgate Lane shopping centre, B32 3DH. The centre will be open from 7:30am to 1:00pm, so please do come along if you have bulky household waste to dispose of!  Advice surgeries There have been some updates to my advice surgeries. Please consult the new list below. Best wishes, Preet Kaur Gill MP Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton

This week, I’m pleased to see that work is underway to enforce new reduced speed limits across the city.   Since I was first elected as an MP in 2017, I have been campaigning for safer roads in this city. It is good to see the council listening to our concerns and working on lowering the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph on dangerous roads.  In Edgbaston constituency, speed limits could be reduced on Hagley Road West (Lordswood Road to Quinton Road), Wolverhampton Road South, West Boulevard and Shenley Lane. I know many of my constituents have written to me over the years with concerns over the safety of these roads.  Our new Labour government has also announced that it will develop a new road safety strategy. Under the Conservatives, England’s previous road safety strategy lapsed in 2019, leaving us the only G7 nation without one.  While I welcome the council’s scheme, there is still more to be done to make our roads safer. I will continue to work with local leaders and our Labour government to ensure that we see the change we need.  Birmingham City Council Finances  This week, the Audit Reform Lab at Sheffield University published a report which claims that the council’s financial collapse and consequential cuts to public services could have been avoided.   The recent, severe cuts to public services in Birmingham will impact residents for years to come.   This report has raised serious questions about the last government's handling of Birmingham's financial situation. We need an independent inquiry.  For more information about the findings in this report, follow the link below:   Library Closures This week, the council revealed its proposal for the future of Birmingham’s libraries.   In an attempt to make savings worth £2.3m, the council has put forward a series of suggestions for how the service could run differently. It has proposed keeping Quinton Library open full time as an Edgbaston constituency hub. Under current plans, the services available at Harborne Library would be co-located and Bartley Green Library would remain open only if a community group chose to take over.  These proposals from the council are not final. The consultation over the future of our libraries is still open. I would encourage interested persons and community groups to turn up to the following in-person consultations: Bartley Green Library: Tuesday 17 September, 10:30am to midday   Harborne Library: Tuesday 24 September 2024, 10:30am to midday  Quinton Library: Tuesday 24 September 2024, 3:00pm to 4:30pm  You can also complete the council’s survey here:  Read my full statement here: Results Day I’d like to pass on my congratulations to all the students who received their GCSE or VTQ results yesterday.  You have worked so hard and should be proud of the incredible work you have done. Take some time to celebrate and relax before you move onto the next stage.  Birmingham Weekender Birmingham Weekender is back, running from Friday 23rd August to Monday 26th August across the city.  There is a great programme of free events for all the family. Find out more about what’s on offer on their website.  MHWC Next Monday, the Mobile Household Recycling Centre will be visiting Coplow Street, B16 0DL, in North Edgbaston. The centre will be open between 7:30am and 1pm, so please come along if you have bulky household waste to dispose of!  Advice surgeries There have been some updates to my advice surgeries. Please consult the new list below. Best wishes, Preet Kaur Gill MP Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton