Weekly Update - 12 September |
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Dear John I hope you've had a good week so far! Here's what I've been up to over this past week.
As part of the Prime Minister's reshuffle this week to ensure the government is delivering for working people across the country, I was delighted to accept a new role as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. I am incredible proud of the work I have done for the past year supporting the Department for Business & Trade as a PPS. We have delivered transformative legislation such as the Employment Rights Bill which delivers the biggest upgrade in workers rights in a generation. We also saved British Steel and secured key trade deals which protected jobs at Jaguar Land Rover. I am excited to work with the new Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall MP, to support world-class science and technology to accelerate innovation and boost growth. If you run a business or do research that falls into this field, please do get in touch, I would love to see the important work being done in our constituency. |
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This Week the Government Announced... |
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Defence Industrial Strategy |
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This week, the Government announced its new Defence Industrial Strategy. This will place our country at the cutting-edge of innovation and ensure that the defence dividend is felt in every region.
As the global situation becomes more dangerous and unpredictable, it is important that our country keeps up with the rapidly changing technological transformation of warfare. This strategy grows our industrial base and strengthens homegrown production so we are not as dependent on others for the equipment our Armed Forces need. Our brave service men and women deserve world-class kit made by world-class British workers and businesses. I am particularly pleased to see that the government are investing heavily in the skills we need to deliver this boost. New defence-focused technical colleges are being opened and there will be greater support for graduates and apprentices to secure good quality, well-paid jobs. This plan is supported by the biggest increase in defence spending since the end of the cold war, 2.6 per cent of GDP by 2027 with the ambition of reaching 3 per cent in the next Parliament. I am delighted the government are backing British jobs, British industry, and British innovators. |
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In 2023, 41.8 million fewer miles were driven by buses in the West Midlands compared to 2010. This demonstrates the blatant disregard the previous government showed these crucial services. On Wednesday, I was pleased to vote for the government's Better Buses Bill to fix this. This Bill gives power to communities who depend on buses, rather than operators who slash services and hike fares. Communities will have new powers to set routes, fares and services, ending the postcode lottery of bus services under the previous government. The government have already announced a £1 billion funding package to support, improve and protect bus services across the country as well as intervening to implement a £3 maximum fare cap to keep bus travel affordable. Read more here. |
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Over the past few months I have been completing the Demos & Google AI Parliamentary Scheme to learn more about this transformative technology. AI isn't just about tech, it can transform our democracy, government, and economy. We must harness it to deliver fairness, transparency, and real opportunities for working people. I am looking forward to making sure AI serves everyone in my new role supporting the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. |
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This week the government introduced its first league table of English NHS trusts. I am disappointed that University Hospitals Birmingham placed 127th out of 134 trusts across the country. Brummies deserve the best care possible - transparency and accountability are crucial to that mission. The public deserve to be informed about the range of challenges facing our NHS and only through honesty will drive up standards for patients across all parts of the country. That's why the government have introduced these rankings and targeted support for struggling trusts. This builds on the progress the government has already delivered in its plan to fix the NHS, including cutting waiting list by over 250,000 since July 2024, delivering almost 5 million extra appointments, and recruiting an additional 2,000 GPs to make it easier for patients to book appointments. I will continue to work closely with the health team under Wes Streeting and local trust leaders to ensure our community gets the service it deserves. Watch my interview above with BBC Midlands about the league tables and my mission to see UHB in the top 10. |
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I have written to the multi-academy trust in charge of Woodhouse Primary School to express my concerns about the unexplained departure of the headteacher. Many of my constituents are deeply concerned about the lack of transparency so I have asked them to give parents an explanation of the future leadership and direction of the school. Read more here. |
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Meeting the Local Police Inspector |
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On Tuesday, I had my monthly meeting with Edgbaston Police Inspector, Paul Hatton. We discussed what needs to be done to make our streets safer and I raised cases constituents had contacted me with. I believe it is vital that our community has a say in how we are policed and protected. I am therefore pleased that the following Police and Communities Together (PACT) meetings have been organised. Harborne: Wednesday 17th September, 7:00-9:00pm - St Peters Church, 13 Old Church Road, Birmingham, B17 0BB. Bartley Green: Wednesday 24th September, 8:00-9:00pm - Milebrook Hall, 143-151 Field Lane, Birmingham, B32 4ER. Quinton: Friday 26th September, 7:00-8:00pm - St Faith & St Laurence, Balden Road at Court Oak Road, B17 8RD. Edgbaston: Wednesday 8th October, 6:30-8:00pm - Edgbaston Golf Club, 25 Church Road, Birmingham, B15 3TB.
I encourage you to attend your local meeting. |
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BBC Doubles West Midlands Investment |
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This week, Mayor Richard Parker secured a deal with the BBC to double TV production spend in the West Midlands, £40 million a year by 2027. This is the BBC's biggest expansion in the West Midlands in over a decade. Flagship BBC programmes such as MasterChef and the Great British Menu are already filmed in our region. Two brand new dramas will also be filmed here in the West Midlands thanks to this deal. This is amazing news. We must continue to back local talent and support our creative industries to power growth in our region. |
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Oasis Church Harborne Wins Grant |
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I am so pleased that Oasis Church has received a £75,000 grant from the Veolia Environmental Trust to carry out essential roof repairs. This is a Grade II listed building that provides vital services to our local community. WIthout these repairs, the church may have been forced to stop its important work, such as its community cade, parent and toddler groups, and English language classes. To find out more about the Veolia Environment Trust and apply for its funding, visit their website. |
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It was great to help residents at my regular surgeries yesterday. If you would like to speak with me at a surgery, the next dates are listed below. Friday 3rd October 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 9th October 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 [email protected], or through my website. |
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✨Some Good News You Might Have Missed Last Week (Mon 1 to Sun 7 Sept 2025)✨ |
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1️⃣ From September 4,000 new nursery places are opening in schools, with up to 7,000 more places coming next year. 🚼 2️⃣ Selling high-caffeine energy drinks to children under the age of 16 will soon be banned. ❌ 3️⃣ Major £10bn shipbuilding deal with Norway supports 2,000 jobs in Scotland and over 100 Scottish businesses. 🏴 4️⃣From September 2026, parents will save money on uniforms as schools in England will only be allowed to ask for three branded items. 👔 5️⃣ A new ‘pay-as-you-go’ rail ticketing system is being trialled, letting passengers tap in and out on their phones and automatically get the best fare at the end of the day. 🚂 |
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Preet Kaur Gill MP Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton Promoted by David Evans on behalf of the Labour Party, 20 Rushworth Street, London SE1 0SS |
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Follow Preet Kaur Gill MP | |
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