www.preetkaurgill.com [1]

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My weekly update

Dear John,

Last night in Birmingham and across the country, the nation once again took
to their windows and doorsteps to clap for our carers, and to show our
great appreciation for the efforts of everyone on the front-line of this
crisis.

It is absolutely right that those putting their lives on the line to keep
our country going and its people safe are given the recognition they
deserve for their tireless and vital work. But more than this, we must also
make sure that they are given the PPE, testing and support they so
desperately need.

Sadly, we have heard too many stories from staff unable to keep themselves
safe or adequately care for their patients. This crisis has laid bare that
we can no longer live in a society where care workers are underpaid and
undervalued or our NHS is starved of funding. We can't applaud front line
workers every Thursday, and then just go back to business as usual after
the crisis.

STRANDED NATIONALS

Urgent action is also required to repatriate British citizens stranded in
countries around the world. My team and I are doing all we can to bring
back over 50 constituents and their families currently stranded abroad in
India, Pakistan and elsewhere in the world.

With some now stuck in areas with strict lockdown measures and travel
restrictions in place, like those in the Punjab region, many cannot afford
to wait any longer for flights because their health conditions are
worsening and their medication fast decreasing. It is vital that those
vulnerable individuals and families are put on flights as soon as possible
and returned to the UK.

The UK Foreign Office has announced details of further charter return
flights from various locations in India including Ahmedabad, Amritsar,
Bangalore, Delhi, Goa and Mumbai. It is still not enough, but it is a
start, and rest assured, I will continue to press for more flights for
those stranded abroad - prioritising those who are most vulnerable. For
more information and bookings, please visit
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india/return-to-the-uk [5]

My office and the offices of MPs across the country are in close contact
with FCO officials daily, however, the communication between FCO and MPs
requires much improvement. In recent meetings with FCO representatives we
have urged for clearer, more accurate and accessible information from
embassies, and a better system for raising specific constituent cases with
them.

Even when a flight has been secured, constituents have shared their serious
concerns over their cost. Some have reported a tripling of costs for
flights home, leaving many in financial difficulty through no fault of
their own. I would encourage anyone with information of inflated flight
costs to email me at [email protected].

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Coronavirus is not only affecting people's physical health, but their
mental health too. If you are struggling, need support, or simply want
someone to talk to, then there are a number of groups and organisations who
are on hand to help:

BIRMINGHAM MIND AND LIVING WELL CONSORTIUM

General support line: 0121 262 3555

Key worker line: 0121 663 1217

KOOTH

Kooth gives 11-25 year olds the opportunity to access online counselling
from qualified counsellors who are available from midday to 10pm every
weekend and 6pm-10pm at weekends. You can access the service at
www.kooth.com [6]

OPEN DOOR COUNSELLING

Open Door are continuing to provide counselling sessions for young people,
as well as healthcare professionals and other key workers in need of
support. You can contact them on 0121 454 1116 or at
[email protected].

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEWS

It is clear that the coronavirus outbreak is leading to a health and
economic crisis around the world. Although the virus is indiscriminate in
its reach, it is the poorest and most vulnerable who will be hit hardest,
and this week we learnt that we risk seeing half a billion people pushed
into poverty globally as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

That is why in my role as Shadow Secretary of State for International
Development, I called for the cancellation of debt repayment for low-income
countries on Tuesday ahead of this week's IMF and World Bank Spring
meetings.

It is unacceptable that some of the poorest countries are being expected to
prioritise debt repayments over the safety of their citizens during the
world's worst health crisis in over 100 years. This is a global emergency
and if we can ensure the most vulnerable people are protected overseas, it
will help us to quickly tackle this crisis, and in the long run also
protect people and front-line services here in the UK.

As ever, please do not hesitate to get in touch if there is anything I can
help with, you can find my contact details below. Stay safe and look after
one another.

Best wishes

PREET KAUR GILL

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR BIRMINGHAM EDGBASTON

STANDING UP FOR BARTLEY GREEN, EDGBASTON, HARBORNE AND QUINTON

LIGHTWOOD HOUSE, ADKINS LANE, B67 5DP (WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE FRONT
ENTRANCE PRESS THE BUZZER LABELLED 'HOUSE MANAGER'; IF THAT
DOESN'T WORK YOU CAN CALL 0121 429 6722)

UNSUBSCRIBE [7]

WWW.PREETKAURGILL.COM

0121 392 8426

[email protected]

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© 2019 PRINTED FROM AN EMAIL SENT BY PREET KAUR GILL. PROMOTED BY A.J WEBB
ON BEHALF OF PREET KAUR GILL, BOTH AT 56 WENTWORTH ROAD, B17 9TA.

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