Weekly Update - 6 October
Dear John
This week, Labour unveiled its rescue plan for NHS dentistry. After 13 years of Tory incompetence, people are finding it impossible to get an NHS dentist when they need one. The consequences for patients are appalling, with statistics showing that 1 in 10 people have attempted their own dental work. I have heard from constituents who have been forced to pull out their own teeth because they were unable to access a dentist’s appointment. As Shadow Minister for Primary Care and Public Health, I want to make sure everyone is able to access healthcare when they need it. The next Labour government will: Address the immediate crisis by providing 700,000 more urgent dental appointments. Provide incentives for new dentists to work in areas with the greatest need, to tackle the emergence of ‘dental deserts’ where no NHS dentists are taking on new patients. Start supervised toothbrushing in schools for 3-5 year olds, targeted at the areas with highest childhood tooth decay. Reform the dental contract to rebuild the service in the long-run, so NHS dentistry is there for all who need it. This will cost £111 million per year, and we’ll pay for it by abolishing the non-dom tax loophole, which allows people who live and work in Britain to pay their taxes overseas. Like our plan? Add your name to back our list of measures:
UHB
This week, I met with Jonathon Brotherton and Yve Buckland to discuss the changes they are overseeing at University Hospitals Birmingham Trust. The meeting was very positive, and I’m glad to see the Board acting on the recommendations that have been made by various reviews. A new operational model is now in place, creating local leadership across the different sites. This is a step towards moving from a centralised management approach to a site-based approach that gives hospitals more autonomy. A new Trust-wide strategy to make UHB an amazing place to work is also being co-designed and developed with staff, patients and stakeholders. I look forward to continuing to work with the Board in the interests of staff and patients.
Telegraph Poles
This week, I visited Perrott’s Folly to meet constituents who are campaigning against telegraph poles being put up in Edgbaston prior to any consultation with residents. It’s not right that a private contractor can construct telegraph poles in the middle of pavements and in front of people’s homes without speaking to residents first. I have asked BRSK to cease the construction of all poles in my constituency until residents and I have been consulted.
Local News
Rutherglen and Hamilton West This week, Scottish Labour won a seismic victory in Rutherglen and Hamilton West. The result is clear – the people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West want change, and they believe that Labour can deliver it. Massive congratulations to Michael Shanks! I look forward to seeing you in Parliament.
HS2 This week at Conservative Party Conference, Rishi Sunak announced that he is scrapping the second leg of HS2. This decision will impact all of us in Birmingham. HS2 promised to level up the city by upgrading our railways and putting Birmingham at the heart of a new network, connecting us with Manchester and Leeds. Communities like ours are sick and tired of empty promises from this broken government. Labour knows how vital rail infrastructure is for economic growth, for connectivity, and to attract investment. We will work with our Mayors, businesses, and industry experts to look at ways to enable Britain to deliver better integrated transport and rail infrastructure that the Midlands and the North desperately need to grow.
B32 @ Faraday Hub B32 @ Faraday Hub’s Quinton Pantry is open, offering members a £5 shop once every week. The pantry at 1 Faraday Avenue, Quinton, B32 1JP, is open on Thursday, 12pm-2pm, Friday 10am-2pm, and Saturday 5pm-7pm. For more info, check out their Facebook page.
MHRC Next week, the Mobile Household Recycling Centre will be visiting Vicarage Road, Harborne, B17 0SP, on Tuesday 10th October. The centre will be open between 7am and 12:30pm, so please come along if you're local and have bulky household waste to dispose of. Best wishes,
Preet Kaur Gill MP, Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, Quinton and North Edgbaston
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