Weekly Update - 24 January

Dear John

Southport

What happened in Southport will remain one of most harrowing moments in our country’s history. I know many of you will join with me in remembering Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Aguiar, and Bebe King. All of our thoughts are with the families and everyone affected by the unimaginable horrors that unfolded in Southport. We must make sure that this doesn’t happen again. We have launched a public inquiry and will review our entire counter-extremist system to make sure that we can face up to this new threat. Read Keir Starmer’s full statement here.

Knife Crime

This week, we tragically lost 12-year-old Leo Ross, who was fatally stabbed on his way home from school in Hall Green. Knife crime is a crisis in our communities. In recent years, I have been witness to some horrific cases – in every one, what strikes you immediately is the senselessness of it. Jordan Moazami was 18 years old, and described as a ‘role model’ by his peers – who was stabbed and killed on Tennal Road in my constituency in 2019. Muhammad Hassam Ali, 17 years old, who was followed and killed by a 15-year-old after a four minute conversation in Birmingham City Centre. Dea-John Reid, my constituent, 14 years old, was hounded by a gang of five boys and grown men before being stabbed in the chest in 2021. Under the Conservatives, knife crime became an epidemic. In July, the ONS found knife crime in England and Wales had shot up by 78% over the past ten years. Across England and Wales, there were 50,000 knife related crimes in the Year to March 2023, around 5,000 of those in the West Midlands Police Force area. This week, I spoke in a debate on knife crime in the West Midlands, where I expressed my concern about the rise of serious violence among young people and welcomed the Government’s commitment to halve knife crime in a decade. For far too long, it has been shockingly easy for our children to get their hands on deadly knives. The government has now introduced new laws which will require online retailers to ask anyone buying a knife for two types of identification, such as a passport or driving licence, and also record a live video to prove their age. Labour is working to tackle violent crime in our communities by delivering a vital funding boost of up to £1 billion in 2025-2026 for police forces across England and Wales, with £48 million for West Midlands Police. This package includes £100 million to kickstart the recruitment of 13,000 neighbourhood officers and £50 million for Violence Reduction Units to tackle knife crime. We have also announced a package of measures to help us achieve our mission to halve knife crime in a decade. A new Young Futures programme – with new Prevention Partnerships and youth hubs so we can intervene earlier to prevent at-risk young people from being drawn into violent crime A ban on ninja sorts and fines for senior social media execs who fail to remove illegal knife crime content from their platforms Online retailers to be forced to ask anyone buying a knife for two types of identification, with buyers asked to submit an identity document, such as a passport, and record a live video to prove their age A new coalition to tackle knife-enabled crime, working together with technology companies, sport organisations, the health service, the police, and the families of victims A new offence of criminal exploitation of children, to go after the gangs who are luring young people into violence and crime A plan to plan to place youth workers and mentors in A&E units and Pupil Referral Units, to identify and help those children and young people who are victims of serious violence and exploitation

Housing

If we want growth, we need the infrastructure to support it. For 14 years, the Conservatives have let Nimbys and zealots clog up our legal system and stop the government building the infrastructure Britain needs. This Labour Government is backing the builders, not the blockers. We’re fast-tracking 150 infrastructure projects, giving us the GP surgeries, roads, railways, the reservoirs and grids for the new homes, towns and villages we’re going to build. We’re also scrapping the excessive three attempts to challenge decisions in the courts to stop blockers getting in the way of the government’s central mission to grow the economy. Read more here.

Fraud

This week, we have launched the biggest welfare fraud crackdown in a generation. This means welfare fraudsters who cheated the taxpayer out of £7 billion last year could be banned from driving if they repeatedly fail to reimburse the public and repay their debt. Read more here.

Business and Trade

With Labour in government, the UK has now risen to become the second-most attractive global destination for international investment, according to global CEOs. We are delivering investment to grow our economy and make working people better off. Read more here.

Security

A major deal, worth approximately £9 billion, has been struck with British firm Rolls-Royce to bolster support to the Royal Navy’s fleet of nuclear submarines, boosting national security and economic growth. This represents a major boost for economic growth, creating and maintaining 5,000 long-term UK jobs. Read more here.

Ethnicities Bill

Sikhs and Jews have been legally recognised as ethnic groups for over 40 years. Both are in the unique position of being recognised as both an ethnicity and a religion in the Equality Act 2010. But both communities have been missed out by public bodies not recording them as ethnic groups. I have presented a bill to Parliament which will would provide that, where a public body collects data about ethnicity for the purpose of delivering public services, it must include specific “Sikh” and “Jewish” categories as options for a person’s ethnic group. Read my full piece for Politics Home here.

3D Guns

This week, an extremist was arrested and found to be in possession of 3D printing gun instructions. It’s terrifying how easy it is for these blueprints to get into the wrong hands. I have presented a bill to Parliament which would make it illegal to download and possess the blueprints to 3D-print a gun. You can read more about my bill here.

Trade Remedies Authority

It was great to host the Trade Remedies Parliamentary Reception, bringing together industry leaders, producers, policy makers and Parliamentarians. The work they do is vital in defending UK economic interests against unfair international trading practices.

University of Birmingham

After I visited the University of Birmingham to hear about an education toolkit they were launching, it was great to meet again in Parliament to learn more about how this pack of resources can help primary schools to involve all pupils in developing a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing. I would urge schools to consult the toolkit. You can find it, and more information, here.

Local News - Birmingham City Council

This week, it was great to meet with the new Senior Leadership Team at Birmingham City Council, including Managing Director Joanne Roney and Deputy Chief Executive Rishi Shori. I look forward to working together to address some of the city’s challenges along with sharing its successes too. I raised the Hagley Road Metro Scheme, how to deliver more housing, libraries and day centre cuts. I'm glad the council has listened to my suggestions and is encouraging local groups to take over or partner with facilities at risk, like libraries. I asked the council if they could provide more information about how these groups can express their interest. Read my full letter to Rob Pocock here.

Harborne Ward Forum

The next ward meeting for Harborne ward will take place on Monday 17th February, 6.30pm at Harborne Leisure Centre, Lordswood Road, Harborne, B17 9QS. I hope you’ll be able to attend to raise any issues you face in your area.

Keep Warm and Well

The Edgbaston Neighbourhood Network Scheme are holding a Keep Warm and Well community event in Bartley Green. There will be members of the community, various organisations with stalls, and will be offering lifestyle checks, welfare benefit checks, home energy advice and more. The event takes place on Monday 3rd February 10am to 2pm at Milebrook Hall, Field Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3JT.

Local Alliance

I’m pleased to announce that the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City Football Club (BCFC) have announced a strategic alliance, creating opportunities in research, education and health, raising aspirations across Birmingham, and enhancing the city’s reputation on the global stage. The alliance will enable the University community of 40,000 students and 8,000 staff to have access to a local football club, providing internships, job opportunities and entertainment. BCFC’s Academy will also benefit from a sophisticated character education programme, developed by the University. Read more here.

MHWC

On Monday, 27th January, the MHWC will be visiting Simmons Drive in Quinton, B32 1SL, and on Wednesday, 29th January, Glencoe Road in North Edgbaston, B16 0PB. The centre will be open between 07:30 and 13:00, so please do come along if you have any household waste to dispose of!

Best wishes,

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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