Weekly Update - 2 February |
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Labour is introducing new counter terror-style powers to identify, disrupt and smash people smuggling gangs. This powerful new legislation will give law enforcement tougher tools to pursue people smugglers and disrupt their ability to carry out small boat crossings.
The new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will include laws allowing immigration officers and police to seize phones, laptops and other electronic devices at an earlier stage before arrests are made and create a new offence for collecting information to be used by organised immigration criminals to prepare for boat crossing.
To prevent more people being crammed into unsafe, flimsy boats and lives being put at risk by these gangs, we will also make it an offence to endanger another life during perilous sea crossing to the UK. Find out more here. |
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It’s great that the Government has responded to my campaign and is making it illegal to possess the templates for 3D-printed firearms. The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will criminalise the making, adapting, importing and possession of specific articles that could be used in serious crime, including templates for 3D printed firearms, carrying a prison sentence of up to 5 years. Last year I presented the Firearms (3D Printing) Bill to Parliament, to shut down a loophole that means it is legal to possess or share a blueprint to make 3D-printed guns, or part-make a 3D-printed gun. As organised crime changes, legislation must keep up. Templates to make untraceable lethal weapons can now be shared and downloaded easily via social media, and with hostile actors using social media and other platforms to stir and incite violence on Britain’s streets, it is imperative we act. Since 2021, the National Crime Agency has reported a 733% rise in the number of cases involving the seizure of 3D printed firearms and components during targeted police searches. I’m looking forward to working with the Government on this legislation as it progresses through Parliament. Read more here |
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Integrated Funding Settlement |
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The Government has announced that the West Midlands will get £385m to drive local growth and unlock regional control of key services including transport, house building and employment support in a new integrated funding settlement. This is the first time in English history that mayors will get real control over their budgets, which will better equip them to act on local priorities. I’m looking forward to working with the Mayor on the delivery of local projects to ensure that my constituents in Birmingham, Edgbaston benefit from this new settlement. Read more here. |
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This week, the Chancellor vowed to go further and faster to kickstart economic growth across the country, including in the West Midlands.
Our region will gain from new strategic partnerships trialled by the National Wealth Fund. The Government’s National Wealth Fund and Office of Investment will work with local leaders to build pipelines of investment and projects linked to regional growth priorities.
The Chancellor has reiterated how residents in the West Midlands are set to benefit from sweeping reforms under the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will take an axe to red tape that slows down approval of infrastructure projects and ensure a smooth and speedy delivery. The Government has also agreed for water companies to unlock £7.9bn investment for the next 5 years to improve our water infrastructure and provide a foundation for growth. This includes nine new reservoirs, one of which is in the West Midlands. The last major reservoir built in the UK was completed in 1992.
In her speech this week, the Chancellor also unveiled plans to unleash the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor that will add up to £78 billion to the UK economy according to industry experts, catalysing growth of UK science and technology. She has backed the redevelopment of Old Trafford and will review the Green Book - the government’s guidance on appraisal - in order to support decisions on public investment across the country, including outside London and the Southeast. You can read the Chancellor’s full speech here. |
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This week, the Health Secretary stated that we are instructing the NHS to go back to basics, fix the fundamentals, and focus on the things that matter most to patients: cutting waiting times for operations, A&E and ambulances, making it easier to see a GP or a dentist, and improving the mental health of the nation. The Government has provided significant extra investment and given clear directions to trusts on what it expects. The Department will reward high performance and drive up standards as we deliver on our Plan for Change and build a health service fit for the future. Read more here. |
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Problem gambling can be devastating for those whose lives it touches, and unfortunately, those numbers are on the rise with NHS Services treating record numbers. The Government has introduced a statutory levy on gambling operators, generating £100 million for the research, prevention, and treatment of gambling harms. Read more here. |
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I'm very pleased that talented Music and Dance Scheme students from lower income families will not see their school fees rise, after I raised this with Ministers. Elmhurst Ballet School is a brilliant school educating talented students and a wonderful local asset. |
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Our Labour government has begun our first steps for change, and we are already delivering on promises we made at the General Election. You can find a list of some of the ways that Labour is making working people better off on my website here. |
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Last Sunday, I appeared on BBC Politics Midlands to talk about knife crime, flytipping and speeding. You can watch the full episode here. |
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Co-op Party Energy Roundtable |
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It was great to chair the Co-operative Party community energy roundtable. It was beneficial to meet with local government leaders to talk about how we deliver the local power plan and provide opportunities for community ownership. |
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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.
I welcome the government’s announcement of an extra £48 million in funding for West Midlands Police for 2025-26, equivalent to a 6% boost. These extra resources will help our police force to tackle violent crime in our communities. Read more here. |
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It was a privilege to attend the APPG for British Sikhs event celebrating the military contribution of Sikhs to the UK. My great grandfather fought in the First World War for the British Army in France.
There is also currently an exhibition on at Hampton Court Palace exhibition celebrating many forgotten stories from the Sikh battalions. I would encourage anyone in or travelling to London to visit. |
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It was great to attend the ASDA Cashpot for Schools Drop in in Parliament this week. In my constituency, 1,643 customers raised £7,085, which will be donated by Asda to support 24 local primary schools. |
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Liver disease deaths are around five times higher in the most deprived areas of the country.
I support British Liver Trust’s calls for improvements in early diagnosis and prevention of liver disease and tackling health inequalities. |
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On Monday, we commemorated 80 years since Auschwitz was liberated, remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and those killed in other genocides. We must reject hate, and stand against antisemitism, racism and intolerance for a better future.
I signed the book of commitment pledging to take action for a better future and lit a candle in my window to remember those who were murdered for who they were. You can read the Prime Minister’s full speech here. |
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Leasehold Hundreds of my constituents have contacted me about the financial mismanagement and poor service they have experienced with FirstPort. I asked FirstPort to look into these issues as a matter of priority to ensure outstanding accounts are dealt with immediately. You can find my full letter here. Hagley Road Steering group |
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As Chair of the Hagley Road Steering Group, it was good to meet with colleagues this week to discuss the delivery of the Hagley Road Rapid Transit Scheme. The scheme will maximise accessibility, regeneration, and development of the Hagley Road Corridor. Investing in public transport will mean faster and cheaper journeys to work for my constituents and new connections help to support local growth. Meeting with Richard Parker |
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It was great to meet with our West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, to discuss regional priorities, such as the Hagley Road corridor, housing development and measures to reduce speeding. I look forward to working together to deliver better transport, more housing and safer streets for my constituents. MHWC Next Friday, 14th February, the MHWC will be visiting Kelmscott Road in Harborne, B17 8QW. The centre will be open from 7:30am until 1pm, so please do come along if you have bulky household waste to dispose of. |
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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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Follow Preet Kaur Gill MP | |
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