Weekly Update - 17 April

Dear John

Saving British Steel

Last Saturday, Parliament was recalled so that our government could save British Steel. We stepped in after British Steel's owners threatened to close down their site in Scunthorpe, risking thousands of jobs and the future of our national steel industry. All options are on the table to secure the future of the industry. Since taking office this government has been negotiating in good faith with British Steel’s owners, Jingye. However, despite our offer to Jingye being substantial, they wanted much more – an excessive amount. Over the last week, it became clear that their intention was to close down primary steel making at British Steel. That is why we stepped in to save British Steel, so we can continue to build the homes, railways, schools and hospitals we need to usher in a decade of national renewal. Legislation we passed allows us to take control of British Steel’s blast furnaces, maintaining steel production and, by extension, protecting the company’s 3,500-strong workforce. You can read the Prime Ministers’ statement, here, and the Business Secretary’s statement, here. You can watch the Business Secretary speaking in the Commons about British Steel, here.

Politics Midlands

On Sunday, I appeared on Politics Midlands, where I spoke about the Birmingham bin strike, local elections and potholes. You can watch the full episode here.

Bin Strike

It’s incredibly disappointing that Unite rejected an improved offer from the Council on Monday, which could have brought an end to these strikes. Unite’s proposals focus solely on retaining a role that does not exist in other councils and represents an equal pay risk for Birmingham. For far too long, our waste service hasn’t been fit for purpose – way before the strikes, my constituents were writing to me about missed bin collections. Public services must deliver for the taxpayer. My constituents deserve better, I have been urging Unite to reconsider and accept the fair and reasonable offer on the table. Read more in The Metro, here. Listen to my interview with BBC Radio WM below.

Hillsborough Disaster 1989

Wednesday marked thirty-six years since one of the greatest disasters in our history – the Hillsborough Disaster. That day, 97 innocent people tragically lost their lives. In the years since, their families and loved ones have campaigned tirelessly to get justice. Our Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, promised to bring a Hillsborough Law before Parliament, with a legal duty of candour for public authorities and public servants, and criminal sanctions for anyone who fails to comply. He has committed to delivering on that promise. You can read more here.

Growth

On Wednesday, the Chancellor and Business and Trade Secretary secured £400m of trade and investment wins at the 13th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue, marking a significant moment in unlocking opportunities and strengthening economic ties. This dialogue saw the signing of a joint statement unlocking cooperation across a range of business sectors, including defence, financial services, education and development. Some of the companies set to benefit are Barclays Bank, Revolut and HSCB Bank, who will now be expanding their operations in India. In a changing world, it is imperative we go further and faster to kickstart economic growth. We have listened to British businesses, which is why we’re negotiating trade deals with countries across the world, like India. Read more here.

Bergen-Belsen

This week, we marked 80 years since the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp by British troops. We remember the victims murdered at Belsen, the brave soldiers who liberated the camp and recommit to fighting antisemitism and hate — wherever it is found.

Cancer Vaccine

As part of Labour’s Plan for Change, patients with advanced skin cancer will be fast-tracked into clinical trials for a new cancer vaccine. This will accelerate the discovery of transformative treatments and improve services for patients, driving growth across the country while making sure as many people as possible can benefit from cutting-edge treatments. Read more here.

World Quantum Day

On Monday – World Quantum Day – the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology announced a £121 million investment to bolster the UK’s world-leading quantum research programmes. This funding will support everything from crimefighting and tackling fraud, to improving healthcare and boosting energy efficiency in the grid. You can read more here.

FirstPort

This week, I wrote to managing agent trade body The Property Institute to challenge its decision to quietly readmit the under-fire property services firm FirstPort. The shocking delays and mismanagement of residential accounts in my constituency demonstrates that FirstPort is failing to meet the minimum standards leaseholders should expect. For that reason I find it baffling that The Property Institute has quietly reinstated FirstPort’s membership last month. Many managing agents do a good job and will be crucial in the transition to commonhold, but too often leaseholders are being let down. More needs to be done to protect leaseholders from abuse and poor service at the hands of unscrupulous agents. The sector must get its own house in order, or the new government will regulate it, where the last failed to for too long. Read more here.

Local News

Royal Mail

I was disappointed to hear of plans to close the Birmingham West delivery office on Plough and Harrow Road in my constituency. This would impact my constituents and local businesses – it would mean that Edgbaston and North Edgbaston residents and businesses would potentially have to travel to Aston for their mail, an hour’s walk or two bus journeys away. As more than 40% of households in North Edgbaston don’t have access to a van or car – double the national rate – this could seriously inconvenience thousands of people. Neither residents nor I were consulted over this decision. I wrote to Royal Mail, asking them to postpone any decision until a consultation with residents is carried out. Whitley Court Road

Residents have written to me raising concerns about speeding on Whitley Court Road in Quinton. Everyone deserves to feels safe using our roads. I wrote to the council, suggesting they consider introducing 20mph signage on the road to deter dangerous driving. Easter

Message: Easter is one of the two most important dates in the Christian calendar. I want to wish Christians in my constituency and around the world remembering the death and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ a very happy Easter. I also want to thank all the churches in my constituency for the ways in which they follow Christ’s example of love and compassion in serving our communities. Whether through youth clubs, toddler groups, family support or food and baby banks, you demonstrate steadfast commitment and care. The Easter message, its story of hope, redemption and renewal, is something we can all take inspiration from in the way that we live our lives. North Summerfield Residents' Association If you live locally and would like to find out more about the North Summerfield Residents' Association or get involved in your community, you can find them on Facebook (North Summerfield Residents), or to join the WhatsApp group Text “ADD ME” to 07778 038818. Labour’s Plan for Change We have been delivering for working people through our Plan for Change. Here’s some things our Labour government delivered last week: £200 million investment to recruit 3,000 neighbourhood police and PCSOs in the next year, as part of Labour’s Plan for Change which will put 13,000 bobbies back on the beat New world class Universal theme park coming to Bedford - this will boost our economy by an estimated £50 billion and create 28,000 jobs 1,503 GPs recruited since October 1, surpassing our commitment Labour Government backs South Yorkshire Mayor to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport £38 million to roll out 319 new zero emission buses across England Labour is backing the British car industry in the face of global economic headwinds, on top of £2.3bn to boost manufacturing More than 100,000 extra patients have been treated on time, 80,000 more people have had cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days, and NHS waiting lists have fallen for six months in a row. All in just nine months. Our Labour Government hosted the second meeting of the Steel Council - our commitment to British steelmaking includes energy cost relief for businesses expected to be worth over £300m in 2025 alone

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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