Dear John

I hope you've had a good week so far! Here's what I've been up to over this past week.

This Week the Government Announced...

5 Million Extra NHS Appointments Delivered

Data shows that in its first year the government delivered 5 million extra NHS appointments. That’s enough to fill Wembley Stadium over 55 times. Promise made, promise delivered.

That means patients in Birmingham benefiting from quicker access to care. This government inherited an NHS where some patients waited as long as 18 months for treatment. By the next election, this government has set a target to cut the longest waiting times to 18 weeks.

This is all part of the government’s turbocharged efforts to save our NHS as part of the 10 Year Health Plan. The government have invested record levels into the NHS and are implementing a shift from hospital to community care. This means securing appointments will be quicker, more convenient, and closer to home.

Sentencing Bill to Make Punishment Work

This week the government introduced the Sentencing Bill which brings forward landmark reforms to ensure we deliver punishment that works and never run out of prison places again.

The previous government’s reckless mismanagement of the Prison Estate saw only 500 places added over fourteen long years. Our prisons were left on the brink of crisis, with overcrowding and huge rises in inmate violence and drug abuse.

In the first year of the new government, 2,500 places have been opened and the government are on track for 14,000 by 2031, the largest expansion since the Victorians.

However, we cannot only build our way out of the capacity crisis. That’s why the government is following the recommendations of the independent sentencing review to deliver punishment that works for victims, works for society, and prevents crime.

Prisons should make better citizens, not better criminals. That’s why this Bill introduces an earned progression model. Those who behave well are released at the minimum time allowed, while those who behave badly are in for longer.

The Bill also makes sure offenders punished outside of prisons are monitored as closely as those inside, forcing them to pay back to society and turn their backs on crime. £700 million will be invested in community punishment, lifting probation funding by 45%. This will see up to 22,000 more offenders and defendants tagged each year. Courts will also be empowered to tailor punishment to individuals with bans from driving, pubs, and sports fixtures.

I voted for the Sentencing Bill at its first stage through parliament this week and will continue to support this important legislation which will ensure jails never run out of space again and dangerous offenders can be kept off the streets.

£150 Billion UK-US Tech Prosperity Deal

With President Trump on a state visit to the UK, the UK and US have agreed a major unprecedented transatlantic tech partnership aimed at accelerating breakthroughs in drug discovery, cancer care and other life-saving treatments using AI and quantum tech.

As part of the Tech Prosperity Deal, over £150 billion of investment from US tech firms into UK AI and tech infrastructure has been secured, with plans for joint research schemes, sharing datasets, and speeding up projects. This is an incredible vote of confidence in Britain’s booming tech sector that will boost growth and create 7,600 high-quality jobs.

The Tech Prosperity Deal also includes big investments in clean, domestic nuclear energy, which will bring high-skilled jobs and help stabilise energy supply.

Through serious diplomacy with our international allies, the Prime Minister is delivering growth, security and opportunity up and down the country.

First AI Growth Zone

This week, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology announced the first AI Growth Zone in the North East of England.
 

The AI Growth Zone is set to unlock more than 5,000 new jobs and bring in £30 billion in investment, putting more money in working people’s pockets.
 

This will help boost AI research, health tech and clean energy innovation, while working with local universities to train people for the new roles – as well as making sure it’s powered by low-carbon energy too.
 

I am excited to see the benefits this zone will bring and will continue to push for the West Midlands to be included in the scheme in the future. AI and tech innovation have the potential to unlock the UK’s next industrial revolution, the government is right to harness that.

Hillsborough Bill Introduced

The scars of Hillsborough, Grenfell, Windrush and so many other tragedies run deep. On Tuesday, the government introduced a Bill to say: never again.
 

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, which will be known as the Hillsborough Law, introduces seismic changes, including:
 

• A new professional and legal Duty of Candour – meaning public officials must act with honest and integrity at all times, with criminal sanctions for egregious breaches.

• The largest expansion of legal aid in a decade for bereaved families – providing non-means tested help and support for inquests.

• A new offence for misleading the public.

   

I pay tribute to the tireless efforts of the families and campaigns who fought for justice over the decades, this week’s Bill wouldn’t have been possible without them.

Employment Rights Bill Protected

On Monday, I voted to protect and strengthen the Employment Rights Bill. The House of Lords, supported by opposition parties, tried to water down this crucial legislation, but along with the government I voted to deliver the biggest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation.

This Bill provides Day 1 Rights of employment, including protection from unfair dismissal and entitlement to paternity leave. The Bill also establishes bereavement leave, bans exploitative zero-hour contracts, and outlaws fire and rehire.

The government is determined to improve working conditions and deliver economic growth. I am pleased these wrecking amendments were defeated. It is time to make work pay for everyone.

Local News

Oldbury Attack

Yesterday, I attended the press conference following the horrendous attack on a young Sikh woman in Oldbury as she was walking to work.

The police are appealing for information, and I urge anyone in the area to come forward using the Police's online portal.

During this vile crime, she was told she “does not belong here.” This was not only an attack on her, but an attack motivated by hate.

Hate crimes against Sikhs are on the rise, with our community experiencing overt racism far too often.

I will continue working with the police and government to tackle racism, misogyny, and hate in all its forms, and ensuring that anti-Sikh hate is recognised and addressed with the seriousness it demands.

Free Breakfast Club Visit

In April, three schools in our constituency began rolling out the government’s free breakfast club programme. This week, I visited Nonsuch Primary School to see their club in action.

These free breakfast clubs boost children’s attendance, attainment, wellbeing, and behaviour, giving them the best start in life. They also give parents more flexibility to work, putting more money in their pockets.

Opening Nonsuch Primary School's Outdoor Learning Area

I was then honoured to officially open the new outdoor area at Nonsuch Primary School.

The school have invested in a brilliant space to enhance outdoor learning opportunities for reception children.

Thank you to Headteacher Dr Sanders and the whole team at Nonsuch for all the incredible work you are doing for children in our community.

Jaguar Land Rover Cyber Attack

I have been following the impact of the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) cyber attack closely and this week joined fellow West Midlands MPs in asking the government to support supply-chain firms affected.
 

This is a challenging situation where firms who were thriving are now facing uncertainty. I have been working with the government to ensure affected firms in Birmingham Edgbaston get support from the Department for Business and Trade.

If your business is affected, please get in touch with me on [email protected].
 

Read more here.

Woodhouse Primary School Meeting

On Monday, I attended the public meeting organised by Friends of Woodhouse Primary. I listened to the concerns of the school community and let them know what I am doing to support them.

We must ensure the children at Woodhouse Primary School are prioritised in this disruption. That’s why I have passed on these concerns to Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, and am seeking a meeting with Greenheart Learning Partnership to provide reassurance about the future direction of the school.

Asian Business Roundtable

It was great to join local business owners at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Asian Business Roundtable.

I listened to calls for more support for SMEs & our high streets. This Labour government is committed to backing local enterprise & helping businesses grow.

Bus Consultation

I encourage you to attend the upcoming Police and Communities Together (PACT) meetings for your area. This is your opportunity to have a say on how to make our streets safer.

• Bartley Green: Wednesday 24th September, 8:00-9:00pm - Milebrook Hall, 143-151 Field Lane, Birmingham, B32 4ER.

• Quinton: Friday 26th September, 7:00-8:00pm - St Faith & St Laurence, Balden Road at Court Oak Road, B17 8RD.

• Edgbaston: Wednesday 8th October, 6:30-8:00pm - Edgbaston Golf Club, 25 Church Road, Birmingham, B15 3TB.

Bus Consultation

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) is consulting on new cross city bus priority measures between Longbridge and Hamstead along the current 45/47, 16/16A, 35, and 7 bus routes.

A series of public events are planned for residents and stakeholders to meet the cross city team, find out more detailed information and to ask any questions about the proposals:

• Monday 29th September between 12pm and 3pm at Moseley Hall Hospital, Old Hall, Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8JL

• Saturday 4th October between 12pm and 3pm at Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH

• Saturday 11th October between 12pm and 3pm at 408 Aston Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 6QN
   

You can share your views here. The consultation runs until 17th October 2025.

Surgeries

If you would like to speak with me at a surgery, the next dates are listed below.

Friday 3rd October

• 10:30-11:30am: St. Germain's Church, City Road, B17 9LE

• 3:30-4:30pm: City Road Primary School (City Road Entrance), B16 0HL

• 5:15-6:30pm: Quinborne Centre, Ridgeacre Road, B32 2TW

• 7:00-8:00pm: Lordswood Girls School, Knightlow Road, B17 8QB

Thursday 9th October

• 10:30-11:30am: Edgbaston Community Centre, 40 Woodview Drive, B15 2HU

• 12:00-1:00pm: Newman University, Genners Lane, B32 3NT

As always, if you have an issue you'd like to discuss, please contact my office at 0121 392 8426 or [email protected], or through my website.

With warm regards,

 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