Dear John

This week, in yet another display of desperation, Rishi Sunak announced that the Tories are dropping crucial climate commitments.

It’s clear that Rishi is weak and unable to stand up to a small minority of his party. Liz Truss crashed the economy and Rishi Sunak is trashing our economic future.

Delaying the phase out of petrol and diesel cars will only load more costs onto the British people, who are, thanks to the Tories, enduring the worst cost of living crisis in generations. It will also damage investor confidence in the UK, demonstrated by the furious reaction we’ve from businesses over the last few days.
 

It is now clearer than ever that only Labour can be trusted to tackle the climate crisis and boost the economy.
 

Labour’s mission is to make the UK a clean energy superpower. In government, Labour will create jobs, lower bills, deliver energy security for Britain, and combat the climate crisis.

In Parliament

This week in Parliament, I raised social media’s role in fomenting religious conflicts around the world in a debate on Freedom of Religion and Belief.

“Sock puppet" accounts are fake accounts controlled by real users posing as independent people – as opposed to automated bots. Networks of these accounts spread misinformation, intolerance and inflammatory speech. I've seen these accounts target me.

Networks of sock puppets have wrecked havoc in zones of conflict. Facebook has been used for the incitation of violence in Tigray and the social media platform fomented the Rohingya genocide and violence in Myanmar. Any area of the media where it is possible to buy political influence and distort debate is a huge concern. Yet, despite efforts to stop it, such speech still thrives on social media today.
 

With persecution and hate rife across the world, we, as parliamentarians, must stand up for human rights. The Government must do more to enforce respect for Freedom of Religion and Belief throughout the world, and most particularly, inside the UK and in partnering nations.

In Parliament

This week in Parliament, I also made two interventions: one on the financial situation of Birmingham City Council and another on the Government awarding Avanti West Coast a long-term contract.

With regards to Birmingham City Council, I asked the Minister what assessment he's made of the financial situation facing local government and the impact of the £1bn the Government has taken from the council. He replied that the overall health of local government and the financial health of local government matters hugely.

With regards to Avanti West Coast being awarded a new contact, I asked the Minister to explain when it became Government policy to reward failure.

Avanti West Coast had the most complaints of any operator and is consistently rated one of the worst performing on the network. Yet, the Government decided to spend £4m of taxpayers’ money on bonuses to company executives.
 

The Minister suggested that we should move away from a situation where we, as politicians, feel like we can micromanage and second-guess decisions made at the operating level. That, to me, sounds like rewarding failure.

Tamworth

This week, it was great to spend the day campaigning in Tamworth with our fantastic Labour candidate, Sarah Edwards, alongside Jess Phillips, Lucy Caldicott and many amazing Labour women.

After thirteen years of Tory failure, the people of Tamworth deserve better. Only Labour can provide Tamworth with the fresh start it deserves.

North West Leicestershire

Last week, it was great to join Amanda Hack, our brilliant candidate for North West Leicestershire, for her fundraiser.

It’s always a pleasure to see so many Labour friends out in support, and I had a fantastic evening. I am very grateful to have been invited to speak.

Local News

Great British Insulation Scheme 

This week, the Great British Insulation Scheme has launched. This will help over 300,000 families heat their homes and save money on their bills through energy efficiency upgrades, such as underfloor, cavity wall or loft insulation.
 

To check if you are eligible for the scheme, follow the link below:

Winter Vaccine Programme

This, week the NHS winter vaccine programme got underway. Residents of older adult care homes and people who are housebound will now be able to receive their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

Follow the link below for more information:

Harborne

A new Drop & Collect Post Office branch is opening at Grove Lane Local, 105-107 Grove Lane, Harborne, B17 0QT, on Tuesday 26th September.

Follow the link below for more information:

Best wishes,

Preet Kaur Gill MP, Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, Quinton and North Edgbaston