Weekly Update - 27 June

Dear John

This week the Government launched Britain’s new Industrial Strategy. The modern Industrial Strategy sets out a ten-year plan to boost investment, create good, skilled jobs and make Britain the best place to do business by tackling two of the biggest barriers facing UK industry: high electricity prices and long waits for grid connections. The government will back eight key sectors to drive long-term UK growth in partnership with business. These are: Advanced Manufacturing; Creative Industries; Clean Energy Industries; Digital and Technologies; Professional and Business Services; Life Sciences; Financial Services; and Defence. Across the country, Labour's plan means more than 7,000 British businesses will see their electricity bills slashed by up to 25% from 2027, as we continue to deliver our Plan for Change. The industrial strategy is huge for the West Midlands. Across our region, nearly a million people are employed in growth-driving sectors targeted by the strategy. It was therefore my pleasure to join business leaders in London for its launch, which I attended with the Business Secretary. Among others, it was my pleasure to bump into my constituent, Michaela, who is the CEO and founder of a company that has pioneered new fuel cell technology in green hydrogen! The Strategy has been warmly welcomed by industry, business leaders, thinktanks and unions alike. MAKE UK said it was “one of the most important days for British industry in a generation,” while the IPPR thinktank said “this government’s clear focus on clean energy, defence and advanced manufacturing shows it’s serious about going green to boost the economy and create good jobs outside of London.” After years of decline - factories shut, jobs offshored, communities left behind - it’s time to turn the page. Read more about what this means for our region here.

Backing British Jobs

British jobs and skills will be prioritised in the construction of new roads, railway lines, hospitals and schools across Birmingham and the West Midlands. Under Labour plans, announced this week, companies who bid for public contracts to build new infrastructure will have to show that they will create high quality British jobs or skills before winning a contract. It means £2.4 billion in local transport funding announced at the Spending Review won't just improve connections across our city and region, but spread good jobs and opportunity too. Read more about what this means for the West Midlands here.

Awaab's Law introduced

This week, the Labour Government laid regulations to start the process to bring Awaab’s Law into effect. The tragic death of the toddler Awaab Ishak in 2020, caused by dangerous levels of damp and mould in his home, shocked the country. In Birmingham, we face widespread issues with damp and mould, due to the nature of our housing stock. Last year I discovered that more than 11,000 local authority homes in Birmingham have damp and mould. Awaab’s law will be a lasting tribute to his life and his parents’ courageous campaign on behalf of thousands of tenants living in unfit homes. No tenant should have to live with dangerous damp, mould, or other hazards. Labour promised that we would make housing safe and decent for everyone. That is exactly what we are doing. This Labour Government will make housing safe and decent for everyone.

Tackling health inequalities

As part of Labour’s Plan for Change, this week the Health Secretary set out how Labour’s investment and reform will accelerate the rebuilding of the NHS in working class communities. Billions freed up to move critical resources like medicines and equipment to regions that most need them. Major changes to how GP funding is distributed to help working class communities and coastal areas In parts of Birmingham, life expectancy can drop seven years in the space of a dozen bus stops. This Labour government is building a fairer Britain where everyone lives well for longer. Read more here.

New National Security Strategy

At the NATO Summit in the Hague, the Prime Minister made an historic commitment this week, alongside Allies, to spend 5% of GDP on defence and national security. Deepening our commitment to NATO and driving greater investment in our wider security and resilience. Working people will be more secure because of the historic commitment made by this Labour government at the NATO Summit to spend 5% of GDP on national security. Across the NATO Alliance, we stand united in the face of profound security threats and challenges, in particular the long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security. You can read more about our new National Security Strategy here.

Iran

Earlier this week, the Prime Minister spoke to the country after the US struck nuclear facilities in Iran. The PM is clear: Iran can never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon - that is a threat to international peace and stability. In an interview the PM said it is crucial that we now de-escalate the situation, stabilise the region, and get all parties back around the table to negotiate.

Recruiting 8,500 mental health workers

We promised to recruit more mental health workers. We have. Less than a year in, we're already 79% of the way to our target, with 6,700 recruited since July. And we're making it easier for patients to access support as part of our 10 Year Health Plan. Not getting the right support for your mental health isn’t just debilitating, it can hit a painful pause button on your life – stopping you working, enjoying time with family and friends, or living day-to-day life. Patients have faced the crisis of access to mental health services for far too long, and this government is determined to change that through our plan to rebuild the NHS. We are already over halfway towards our target of recruiting 8,500 extra mental health workers, and through our upcoming 10 Year Health Plan we will get more people back to health and back to work. Read more here.

International Trade strategy launched

In addition to the launch of our Industrial Strategy earlier this week, the Labour Government has announced its first Trade Strategy since the UK left the EU. In a world closing in, Britain is opening up. The new UK trade strategy backs exporters with: Modern digital tools. Streamlined borders. £20 billion boost for UK Export Finance. Smart, ambitious, and built for growth. Read more about how we’re protecting small firms from cheap imports.

Reform's tax breaks for billionaires

On Monday Reform UK announced a golden ticket for foreign billionaires to avoid the tax they owe in this country. Their so-called “Britannia Card” would let wealthy foreigners pay a £250,000 fee to live here exempt from all tax on their foreign assets, which tax experts estimate would cost the UK £34 billion. This would reduce revenues raised from the rich that would have to be made up elsewhere, through tax hikes on working families or through Farage’s promise to charge them to use the NHS. Farage has already racked up £80 billion in unfunded tax cuts. Just like the Tories, they have learnt nothing from the disastrous Liz Truss mini budget. It would be working people who pay the price.

Quinton Street Surgery

Earlier today, it was great to be out in Quinton for my weekly street surgery there — listening to residents and tackling local issues all year round.

King Edward VI Foundation Awards

Yesterday it was my pleasure to join the King Edward VI Foundation Awards at Edgbaston Stadium — an inspiring evening honouring the amazing staff and teachers who power the Trust’s success, including from Lordswood Girls' School in our constituency.

Tech Accelerator Success

This week I was thrilled to learn that the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA) has exceeded its investment target, raising over £50 million. It means it has delivered £3.40 for every £1 of funding from Innovate UK. I met with start-ups receiving government funding through the Accelerator with West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker earlier this year. You can read more here.

Political Therapy

On Thursday 10th July, I will be taking part in a panel event with John Slinger MP and Alex Ballinger MP to discuss one year on from the 2024 General Election. Tickets are £10 and more details can be found at their website here.

Weekly round-up

Here’s some things Labour’s Plan for Change delivered last week: 💷 Labour’s expansion of the warm homes discount means millions more families will get £150 off their energy bills this winter. 🏡 Labour is setting up the National Housing Bank. This will unlock £53 billion of private investment to build over half a million homes as a step towards building 1.5 million homes this Parliament. 🚆 Our new deal between British Steel and Network Rail will provide 337,000 tonnes of British Steel to build our railways - backing British manufacturing to rebuild the UK. 🎾 To inspire the next generation, we’re investing £900 million to back world-class sporting events and invest in grassroots facilities in every corner of the UK. 🏫 To drive growth in every part of the country, our 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy sets out this Government's long-term plan to renew our country including safer hospitals and modernised schools. As part of this, we have committed at least £725 billion of funding over the next decade. ⚽ Labour’s new School Sport Partnerships will ensure all young people have equal access to high-quality sport and extracurricular activity and give girls the same opportunity as boys to play sports at school. 🌊 £100 million in water company fines will be invested in local environmental projects to clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas for good. 🌍 The Prime Minister attended the G7 to deliver security for people back home.

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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