Weekly Update - 28 November

Dear John I hope you've had a good week. Here's what I've been up to over this past week.

This Week the Government Announced...

Autumn Budget

This Wednesday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out her Budget in Parliament a Budget focused on long-term investment and building a stronger, more secure economy. She confirmed that this Labour Government will continue to reject austerity and irresponsible borrowing, choosing instead a disciplined, forward looking plan that puts the country’s future first. The Government has already beaten expectations, with growth upgraded from 1% to 1.5% this year - early evidence that stability and investment are beginning to pay off. Key measures in the Budget include: Scrapping the two child benefit cap supporting 4,050 children in Edgbaston and giving families a fairer start in life. £150 off household energy bills easing the pressure on living costs. An increase in the minimum wage ensuring work pays and lifting living standards. A £575 rise in the State Pension protecting incomes in retirement. Freezing prescription charges and fuel duty providing stability for households. Reforming Motability removing luxury cars from the scheme and saving taxpayers over £1bn in 5 years. Guaranteed six-month work placements for 18–21-year olds helping young people into long-term employment. Watch highlights from Rachel Reeves' speech in the Commons above.

Soft drinks tax extended

A new soft drinks tax will be extended to tackle obesity and ensure that children are consuming less sugar. The tax expects to cut 7 million calories a day from the nation’s daily intake across the UK. Changes will apply the charge to pre-packaged milk-based and milk-alternative drinks with added sugar like supermarket milkshakes, flavoured milks, sweetened yoghurt drinks, chocolate milk drinks and ready-to-drink coffees. Read more here - Soft drinks levy extended to protect children and improve health - GOV.UK

Rail fares freeze

For the first time since the 90s, rail fares are frozen by the Government. A decision that actually makes a difference to people’s daily lives. Train users in Edgbaston will feel the benefit immediately: lower costs, fairer travel, and a government that’s on your side. Train passengers will not be paying a penny more on season tickets, peak returns for commuters and off-peak returns between major cities. The move will save commuters hundreds of pounds off their season tickets, freeze costs for travellers, and support growth for every traveling residents. Commuters on the more expensive routes will save more than £300 per year. This is a great win for commuters - giving people more affordable access to travel.

Pensions going up

This week the Government announced it will be halting a decades long slide in living standards for a quarter of a million pensioners, inflation-proofing more of their income and putting £1.8 billion in their pockets over the lifetime of the scheme. This means that the state pension increase will give pensioners an additional £575 income a year. Pensioners receiving compensation on savings built up before 1997 have suffered a real terms income cut of 24% in the past five years alone, as payments failed to keep pace with prices. Future payments will be linked to inflation (up to 2.5%) will boost the income of an average recipient by £80 in its first year, with some receiving up to £340 more. The Government has listened to and acted on the concerns voiced by tens of thousands of pre-97 pensioners.

Protecting miners' pensions

This week the Government announced that it is ending the historic injustice of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme, and returning £2.3bn to 40,000 former coal miners and their families. The return of the fund to mineworkers will mean a 40% increase to the annual pensions of mineworkers, an average increase of £100 per week for each pensioner or their families. We owe a debt of gratitude to the mineworkers who built and powered our country for generations. They have fought for justice for many years. In a landmark decision, the Government will hand over the fund to the pension scheme, ensuring former pit workers who powered the country for decades finally get the just rewards from their labour.

Annual survey - Crime and Community

Neighbourhood Watch Network has launched its annual survey looking to hear from residents about their experience of crime and connection to the local community. The data from the survey goes into a report which is published on their website and used to help the Neighbourhood Watch Network prioritise their work. Take the survey now: [link removed]

English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

This week the English Devolution Bill was outlined in Parliament, the bill represents the biggest shift in power from government to communities in decades. It is the first UK Bill in history to include the word ‘empowerment’ in its title. This is a landmark moment for community empower, giving community groups the best possible chance to own and shape the places that matter most. Communities across the country have seen beloved community spaces forced to close their doors. Thousands of community centres, youth clubs, libraries, pubs and leisure centres have closed over the last decade - this bill puts community power back in their hands. With this Bill, the Government is rebuilding the fabric of our communities. Giving local people enhanced powers to buy community spaces means more assets owned and shaped by the people who use and love them.

Local News

Visit to Ryland Place

On Monday I met with residents at Ryland Place to discuss leaseholder reform, speeding and transport. It was an excellent opportunity to hear directly from residents who care deeply about their community and listen to them on issues that impact them. I was also fortunate to speak with a resident who shared his wonderful art in a display at Ryland Place. It was inspiring to see such a strong demonstration of dedication and really highlighted the importance of community relationships.

Summerfield Primary Care Centre to receive funding for major upgrade

I’m pleased that Summerfield Primary Care Centre has received funding to become one of the Government’s 250 new Neighbourhood Health Centres. The centres will be one-stop shops for patients with GPs, pharmacists, nurses, dentists all under one roof. This upgrade will reduce NHS waiting list and bring back control of care to the communities who access it. Read more here - Health centres in Stockland Green and Edgbaston to get massive upgrades to cut waiting lists - Birmingham Live

£2.5bn to West Midlands Mayor to tackle poverty and drive new growth, jobs and homes

The Government invested more than £2.5bn to West Midlands economy to support Mayor Richard Parker’s plans to raise living standards for tens of thousands of local people. The Mayor will use the money to drive forward his West Midlands Growth Plan which sets out to create 100,000 jobs, 120,000 new homes and better public transport. Read more here - West Midlands secures Budget boost to deliver jobs, homes and growth | Public Sector News

White Ribbon Day tackling violence against women and girls

This Wednesday marked White Ribbon Day, an annual event that raises awareness to prevent harassment, abuse, and violence against women and girls. The West Midlands Combined Authority has been formally recognised for its work in tackling abuse towards women and girls, receiving White Ribbon accreditation - a great achievement that highlights our region’s dedication to addressing violence against women and girls. Read more here - WMCA recognised for tackling violence against women and girls

9 things the Government delivered that you might have missed last week

🛑 Government's new immigration measures will restore order and control to our borders by reducing arrivals and increasing returns 🤝 We will also deliver new, capped, safe and legal routes for refugees 🍏 Half a million more children will benefit from the Government's free breakfast clubs from April next year 🏡 We're giving the green light to well-connected, high-quality homes near train stations to deliver tens of thousands of homes on the way to our target of 1.5 million 🤝 The first ever Men's Health Strategy will tackle the mental and physical health issues men face 🎫 The Government announced a ban on ticket touting to protect fans from rip-off prices 🌊 We have also banned the sale of plastic wet wipes to help clean up our rivers, lakes and seas 💷 The Government is tackling the cost of living by freezing prescription charges under a tenner and ordering an investigation into hidden dentistry costs 🔆 Over 250 schools across England have signed agreements to install solar panels to save millions on energy bills with Great British Energy 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.

With warm regards,

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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