This week, Baroness Louise Casey concluded her national audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, commissioned by the Home Secretary. The Government has decided to accept all 12 of the recommendation in the report, including a new national criminal operation to get more perpetrators behind bars, and a new national inquiry, co-ordinating a series of targeted local investigations, to hold institutions to account for historic failings. Group-based child sexual exploitation, committed by grooming gangs, is one of the most horrific crimes imaginable. Having spent years as a children’s services manager, I’ve witnessed first-hand how vulnerable young lives can be overlooked—trapped in a system slow to respond, and hesitant to confront the true scale of abuse. Victims and survivors deserve justice, abusers need to be in jail and the public needs to know the truth. You can read the Home Secretary’s full statement here. |
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The Government has introduced our welfare bill to Parliament, which will protect the most vulnerable and help households with an income boost. The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill will provide 13-weeks of additional financial security to existing claimants affected by changes to the PIP daily living component, including those who their lose eligibility to Carers Allowance and the carer’s element of Universal Credit.
The 13-week additional protection will give people who will be affected by the changes time to adapt, access new, tailored employment support, and plan for their future once they are reassessed and their entitlement ends. This transitional cover is one of the most generous ever and more than three times the length of protection provided for the transition from DLA to PIP.
This government inherited a broken social security system, with costs spiralling at an unsustainable rate and millions of people trapped out of work. That’s why, through the introduction of this Bill; the government is fixing our broken social security system so it supports those who can work to do so while protecting those who cannot - putting welfare spending on a more sustainable path to unlock growth as part of our Plan for Change. Our Bill will also provide that:
Universal Credit standard rate will rise each year by CPI + 2.3–4.8% until 2030 UC & Employment and Support Allowance sickness/disability payments + ESA premiums are frozen until 2030 New sick UC claimants (after April 2026) will get £217 - current claimants keep £423 Severely disabled & terminally ill UC claimants will be protected from reassessment unless new evidence Existing PIP claimants keep payments unless they fail the new test at reassessment (scoring four points on one task), then lose them after 13 weeks
You can read more here. |
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The Government is expanding the Warm Home Discount meaning 250,000 more families in the West Midlands will get £150 off their energy bills this winter. Over 6 million households in total, including 900,000 families with children, will now be eligible for the discount.
Our Government is providing families with vital support with the cost of living and putting money in people’s pockets. Read more here. |
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The Government has announced that 500,000 homes will be built through a new National Housing Bank, a publicly-owned body with £16bn of investment power. The trailblazing approach will see Homes England, the national housing and regeneration agency, able to issue government guarantees directly and have greater autonomy and flexibility to make the long-term investments that are needed to reform the housing market and deliver strong returns. Read more here. |
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The Prime Minister has held calls with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Trump and other world leaders to urge both Israel and Iran to step back and deescalate.
The Government is asking all British nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to register their presence with the Foreign Office. Our government is also sending Rapid Deployment Teams to Egypt and Jordan to bolster our consular teams in the region who are already supporting British nationals. |
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I am deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic Air India crash in Gujarat. My thoughts are with the victims and all their families. In the Chamber, I asked the Minister what reassurances he can provide my constituents that the UK government is supporting efforts to determine the cause of the crash.
The Minister informed me that the UK is supporting with an ongoing investigation to determine the reason for the crash. Foreign Office staff and expert teams are in Ahmedabad, offering support and guidance to British nationals and their families affected by the crash. The Government has set up a UK reception centre at the Ummed Hotel, close to Ahmedabad airport, where UK staff are on hand to help. You can read more here. |
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This week, the Prime Minister joined world leaders at the G7 summit in Canada. The UK, along with other world leaders, recommitted their unwavering support for Ukraine in the fight against Russia’s illegal invasion.
The UK and US also added more to our Economic Prosperity Deal, with the Prime Minister securing commitments from President Trump on automotive and aerospace, in another boost for British jobs in industry and manufacturing.
Our deal will secure the future of our automotive sector and protect tens of thousands of jobs, including in the West Midlands. The CEO of JLR, who have manufacturing sites in the West Midlands, told the PM that their 44,000 workers are extremely relieved and pleased with our deal. Our trade deals, like the ones with the US, India and the EU, are creating tens of thousands of jobs across various sectors and will deliver benefits to businesses. Read more here. |
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I welcome the news that British Steel will be providing Britain’s rail tracks, protecting the jobs of thousands of steel workers.
The £500 million 5-year contract will see British Steel supply over 337,000 tonnes of rail track, helping cement the company’s future just 2 months after the government took emergency action to save the Scunthorpe plant from closure. You can read more here. |
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The Government has announced over £250 million of joint industrial investment with industry for cutting-edge green aerospace tech projects at companies including Rolls-Royce and Airbus. Figures show the UK aerospace sector supports 100,000 direct jobs and contributed £13.6bn to the economy in 2024, almost 50% up on 2014. This investment will keep aerospace at the forefront of innovation, not only delivering economic growth but boosting the charge to net zero 2030. Read more here. |
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MPs voted to remove criminal penalties for women who end their own pregnancies outside of the existing legal framework, usually in crisis, often alone.
Abortion remains regulated, but women will no longer treated as criminals for making desperate decisions about their own bodies. Decriminalisation means treating abortion as a healthcare matter, not a criminal one. I gave lengthy consideration to the new clauses which would decriminalise abortion. I do think that the current criminal law provisions are not fit for purpose now, and certainly not in relation to some of the cases referred to as part of the debate. Consequently, I decided to abstain on these votes, with the view that further consideration of the key issues will be presented in due course. |
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This week, MPs voted in favour of the assisted dying bill. At Third Reading, I voted against the assisted dying bill. Please read my full statement that I issued ahead of this historic vote: As we consider whether to put this Bill into law, now is the time for us to reflect on our solemn duty as legislators to protect the wellbeing of our communities and safeguard them from harm. I have heard from nearly a thousand constituents, nearly all of whom oppose the Bill for a range of reasons. I opposed the Bill at Second Reading. I set out my reasons, including those of principle, but also of a major concern about safeguarding that I could not see a way to being addressed through amendments to the Bill. Far from issues of safeguarding being improved in Committee, many of the provisions have been weakened. My concerns about the Bill are very clear. I am greatly concerned that despite the early insistence on the importance of the High Court stage safeguard, it has been removed from the Bill, fundamentally altering the basis on which Members voted at Second Reading. Both the panels that would replace the Court approval stage, and the Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Commissioner who would oversee them, are new and untested concepts. They would not have the powers or functions of a court or tribunal. They would not be required to question witnesses and could not compel them to attend. The doctors who are intended to have assessed people’s capacity and freedom to choose an assisted death would not give evidence on oath, and there would be nobody to cross-examine them. The new VAD Commissioner would run the assisted dying system and, at the same time, be responsible for monitoring, investigating, and reporting on its work, replacing the role previously given to the independent Chief Medical Officers. The very definition of “terminal illness” has proved to be seriously flawed, as it would allow people with anorexia to qualify once their physical condition deteriorates to the point where they are considered to have less than six months to live. Many people have written to me about this point.
At the very beginning of the Committee Stage, amendments were tabled to introduce an enhanced test of a person’s mental capacity to make the choice to die. These amendments recognised the need to protect vulnerable people such as those with learning difficulties or dementia, and even people with no prior vulnerabilities who are at risk of shock and depression upon learning they have a terminal illness. At Second Reading, Members were assured that our existing laws in the Mental Capacity Act were tried and tested. However, in February, the Chief Medical Officer wrote to the committee to clarify that there is no enhanced test for life and death decisions under this Act. The amendments had been rejected three days earlier. Unlike other legislation, this Bill completed its Committee Stage without Members being given information about its impact. This means they have been unable to consider either the costs or additional pressures that the Bill would place on the NHS. The potential impact on equalities – the impact on disabled people, ethnic minority communities, those on lower incomes and victims of domestic abuse – had not been published either. Only once we reached Report Stage was an impact assessment produced, which makes the point that disabled people are at a high risk of feeling like a burden and being subtly influenced into choosing to die. The Committee voted to allow a future Health Secretary to change the Act of Parliament which established the founding principles of our NHS at will. This language, first passed into law in 1946, established an NHS to “secure...the physical and mental health of the people of England, and...in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of physical and mental illness.” However, because this does not include assisting people to end their own lives, the Bill as amended now contains a power for these foundational words to be changed by secondary legislation. Following the Committee Stage, I chaired a session titled “Committee of the Unheard,” to hear from experts who had not been invited to give oral evidence at Committee Stage. At this Committee, we discussed the impact of excluding family and loved ones which is this Bill’s position too. Importantly, it gave an opportunity to explore issues around people with disabilities, people from other jurisdictions and BAME communities. There were also impacts on suicide prevention and the anorexia ‘loophole’; evidence regarding coercive relationships and of palliative care. Had the Committee received this oral evidence, it may well have come to different conclusions. Medical professionals and associations continue to have serious concerns and reservations about this Bill. The Royal College of Psychiatrists say they cannot support the Bill. One thing the Bill has highlighted for me is around the promise of choice. For choice to be real, there must be options to choose from. For many, there are no options now and wouldn’t be if the Bill came into force. What has been highlighted is that palliative care provision is woefully inadequate. The worst served are also the most disadvantaged from the most deprived communities. Worse, should the Bill come into force, the provision of palliative care is likely to be compromised without hospices having a legal right to opt out of assisted dying. There is no such proposed opt-out in the Bill. This brings me back to our role as legislators. The question for us now is “after all the consideration through to Third Reading, can we be satisfied that our duties towards people to protect their well-being and safeguard them from harm are fulfilled if we pass this Bill?” From everything I have seen, heard and read, the answer must be “no”. |
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The Government has announced that millions will be able to take part in clinical trials via the NHS app under the 10 Year Health Plan. This will speed up clinical trials, so the UK becomes a hotbed of innovation.
Eventually the plan will see the NHS App automatically match patients with studies based on their own health data and interests, sending push notifications to your phone about relevant new trials to sign up to. You can read more here. |
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The Government has published its 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy, committing to fund at least £725 billion of infrastructure over the next decade, ensuring that infrastructure spending continues to grow at least in line with inflation after the current spending review period. The strategy sets out this Government's long-term plan for economic, housing and social infrastructure to drive growth in every part of the country. This will be achieved alongside vital planning reforms and the creation of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). The strategy aims to restore confidence and drive economic growth by providing stability on funding and improving how infrastructure projects are planned and delivered. You can read the full strategy here.
The Chancellor has also committed £1 billion to enhance and repair run down transport infrastructure and futureproof England’s road network.
This package includes a further £590 million to take forward the long-awaited Lower Thames Crossing, improving road connectivity between Kent and Essex, and follows a record £15.6 billion in city region transport ahead of the spending review. The funding will ensure vital upgrades are made to tired bridges, flyovers and tunnels across Britain, supporting highly skilled job opportunities. You can read more here. |
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Leading tech firms have partnered with government to deliver AI skills training to 7.5 million UK workers. Amazon, BT, Google, IBM, Microsoft and Sage are among the companies that have been called together for discussions to agree a programme of work. If we want to realise AI’s incredible potential, we must make sure people of all ages and from all parts of the UK have the skills they need for jobs both in and with the technology. Read more here. |
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I’m delighted that this week, Birmingham City Council passed a motion to become the first council in the UK to routinely collect Sikh and Jewish ethnicity data.
It is absurd that public bodies don't include Jews and Sikhs in equalities data, despite being legally recognised ethnic groups for over 40 years and in the Equality Act 2010. To deliver for its citizens, the Government must have an accurate picture of the people it serves. Collecting ethnicity data is key to addressing disparities in areas such as education, health, policing, and employment. I have presented a Bill that is progressing through Parliament (the Public Body Ethnicity Data (Inclusion of Jewish and Sikh Categories) Bill which 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. By backing my Bill, Birmingham City Council has ensured that our wonderful Jewish and Sikh communities are counted and will help certify that each community's needs are met. You can read more here. |
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Al Carns, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Veterans and People, has built a consumer charter for families in Military Homes. This includes:
Better move-in conditions More reliable repairs and renovation of the worst homes A named housing officer for every family 36,000 military homes brought back into public ownership New Defence Housing Strategy to be published later this year delivering on the government’s Plan for Change An extra £1.5 billion to fix forces housing through the Strategic Defence Review, a record uplift
To all our service families: your concerns matter, your standards should be met, and your service should be honoured not just in words—but in action. |
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It was an honour to attend The Great Get Together in Parliament in memory of Jo Cox. Jo believed “we have more in common than that which divides us” — a message that feels more now important than ever. As MPs we can bridge divides, build respectful debate and unity in public life. |
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It was great to attend the Missing the Mark event and meet young people with lived experiences of mental health problems, who've worked with Young Minds to develop the campaign. The campaign addresses the harmful impact of the current assessment system on young people’s mental health. |
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It was a pleasure to attend the the Children's Charity Foundation Baby Box event in Parliament today.
The scheme provides first-time parents in need with a carefully curated box of essential baby items, books, and developmental toys. In my constituency Elaine Hook runs a baby bank, which is a lifeline for many. |
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It was eye-opening to attend the Fight Bladder Cancer event in Parliament. Bladder cancer is the 9th most common cause of cancer death in the UK, and there are around 5,600 bladder cancer deaths in the UK every year. |
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It was great to meet with my constituent Patrick, my local representative from the Trussel Trust during their mass lobby in Parliament.
Their work is nothing short of essential. Across the UK, they support a network of food banks, with one based in Quinton at St Boniface’s church, which I have visited. |
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Today, I visited the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Young Person’s Unit to see the support that Teenage Cancer Trust provides for young people with cancer.
They fund 28 specially designed units across the UK, along with NHS posts including expert Cancer Nurses and Youth Support Coordinators. |
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West Midlands APPG Launch |
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It was great to speak at the launch of the APPG for the West Midlands at the Edgbaston Park Hotel — bringing together voices from across the region to champion our shared priorities. From transport and skills, to investment, innovation, and regeneration, the West Midlands has so much potential. |
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Here are 10 major announcements that the Labour government has made this year that impact Birmingham – specifically Edgbaston — from infrastructure and jobs to innovation and community investment:
1.£2.4 billion transport boost to East Birmingham, extending metro services to the new Sports Quarter at Bordesley Park/Edgbaston CFC site 2.£100 million Knighthead Sports Quarter investment in East Birmingham — includes a 60,000-seat stadium, training campus, and 8,400 jobs 3.£42 million redevelopment of Edgbaston Stadium, adding a new 3,191-capacity stand and a 146-room Radisson Red hotel — plans approved Feb 2025, ready for 2027 Ashes 4.£18 million WMCA loan backing the stadium upgrade project 5.£76 million integrated city funding, including transport, housing retrofit, skills, and cultural regeneration across Birmingham, boosting East Birmingham and Edgbaston zones 6.£4 million Severn Trent hub investment in Edgbaston, creating over 300 jobs and revamping the historic waterworks site 7.West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator extended with £4 million region-wide (including Edgbaston/University of Birmingham), supporting AI surgery sensors & biotech spin-outs 8.Construction training package (£165 million for courses + £100 million Tech College fund) benefiting Edgbaston residents entering construction roles 9.Defence Industrial Strategy driving defence spending to 2.5 % of GDP by 2027 — supports skilled jobs/apprenticeships in Edgbaston/West Midlands region 10.West Midlands Metro Eastside extension, bringing trams from Bull Street through Digbeth and on toward Edgbaston Village — on track to open in 2025–26
Edgbaston Reservoir Festival There is a free festival happening at Edgbaston Reservoir from 26-29th June. Enjoy a packed programme of free nature connection, thought-provoking activity, workshops, conversations, art and family-friendly performance. Find more here. Highfield Day Nursery |
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It was a privilege to join students from Highfield Day Nursery to plant a tree in the new community garden in the Edgbaston Village. The children have been researching how to combat traffic pollution, and have learnt that trees help by acting as natural air filters and green barriers. Read more here.
Thank a Teacher Day |
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Wednesday was Thank a Teacher Day. To every teacher in schools, colleges, and communities in Birmingham, Edgbaston — thank you for your dedication, resilience, and the life-changing impact you make.
Hospitality SMEs |
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Great to meet Ann Tonks, owner of Chapter Restaurant in Edgbaston Village, for a great conversation about the vital role hospitality SMEs play in driving the UK economy.
From creating local jobs to enriching communities, businesses like Chapter are at the heart of it all. Artisan Market Every second Saturday of the month, Edgbaston Village comes alive with Birmingham's biggest artisan market. The next two markets will take place on 12th July and 9tjh August. There are over 80 independent stalls offering locally sourced food, handmade treasures, and one-of-a-kind arts and crafts – there’s something for everyone!
Job Vacancy I'm looking for an enthusiastic and talented communications and campaigns officer to join my team! If you're interested, find out more and apply here. Deadline Sunday 22nd June. Here’s some things Labour’s Plan for Change has delivered last week: 🥣 Free school meals for more than half a million more children in families on Universal Credit, lifting 100,000 children out of poverty and putting £500 back in the pockets of parents who need it. 🚌 £15.6 billion bus, tram and train infrastructure investment across our regions. This public transport boost will power cities, towns and communities forward, opening up new access to jobs and opportunities alongside more investment in Britain’s renewal.
🌊 Bonus payments banned with immediate effect for bosses at water companies that don’t meet high standards.
🪖Strategic Defence Review making Britain secure at home and safe abroad by ensuring HM Armed Forces have the right equipment they need, whilst boosting 30,000 highly skilled jobs across the country. 🏠£1.5bn additional funding to repair and renew military housing, helping improve lives for armed forces personnel and their families.
⚖️ Launched pilot scheme to give survivors of rape and serious sexual assault the right to have cases reviewed, as part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. ☀️ New build homes to have solar panels by default, saving people hundreds of pounds off their energy bills. |
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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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